A vendor stand from a past Columbus Farmers Market.
Unlike in spring seasons past, the Columbus Farmers Market plans to open with its maximum number of 70 vendors at 9 a.m. Saturday along First Street behind Columbus City Hall.
For the season, including part-time vendors, 32 are new. Organizers received a total of 174 applications for booth space.
“All of our spots are full for the season (through Sept. 16) and all our wait lists are full,” said Jacob Hendricks, who oversees the weekly gathering for the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. “We have not been this full of vendors this early in the season in a very, very long time.
“Truthfully, I just believe the market has really become a Columbus staple. And I think people are simply enjoying it.”
Vendors range from those offering ready-made food, plus those with grocery-oriented foods such as meat and eggs, plus those with plants and fresh-cut flowers, and also arts-oriented businesses highlighting everything from photography to jewelry.
One version of the Columbus Farmers Market began in 1981 downtown. The most recent began in 2002, and has had various organizers since then.
Last summer, on days of warm, sunny weather, Hendricks said some estimated crowds were in the 1,500 range. Ideally, he said he would like to see that kind of attendance this weekend.
“But I’d like to keep expectations realistic,” he said.
Because of recent lower temperatures, Hendricks mentioned he’s uncertain precisely what produce vendors might have available this early.
“These cold nights and mornings have not done any favors for them,” Hendricks said.
Other vendors such as Dan and Lynne Fleming of Fleming Family Beef plan to have a full variety of products available, from ground beef to steaks to roasts to brisket. He acknowledged that he’s excited to hear of more vendors than the market has had at least since the 2020 segments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think that’s good news,” Fleming said. “You know how people are. They go to the grocery store with the intention of buying corn flakes, and they come out with already-made pie, ice cream, bacon, and all kinds of things.
“The more people you’ve got there, the better — because I think a lot of them go there sometimes with no really specific intention. And when I am there, it amazes me all the artisans and all the growers that we have that I didn’t even know of.”
He said he regularly sees their customers discover new vendors and investigate or purchase their products.
“Hopefully, some of these people (Saturday) will be willing to try us out,” Fleming said.
About the market
When: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 16. Sometimes canceled or shortened because of rain.
Where: Along First Street in downtown Columbus behind City Hall.
Vendors: Nearly 70, including those with produce, plants and flowers, ready-to-eat food, arts-related creations from jewelry to photography and more.
Information: columbusfarmersmarket.org
