WestoshaMarket comes to the fairgrounds

Farmers market will open at new spot on July 6

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

Last year was the inaugural year for WestoshaMarket at AquaTerra Farms on Highway 50 in Bristol. Now, WestoshaMarket is moving farther west to the Kenosha County Fairgrounds in Wilmot.

Kenosha County Fairgrounds is at 30820 111th St. Opening day for the 2016 season is July 6 at 2:30 p.m.

The market will be open every Wednesday from until the last week in September.

Kenosha Common Markets is the parent group. Kenosha HarborMarket, is a European-style mixed market in downtown Kenosha and open on Saturdays, was launched in 2003. Winter HarborMarket was rolled out in 2008, inside the historic lobby of Rhode Center for the Arts.

Melody Hovey, current treasurer/secretary of the Kenosha Common Markets, is pleased with the WestoshaMarket move and the new partnership with the Kenosha County Fair.

“Everything at the fairgrounds is in place to a market like ours,” she explained. “It has organized parking for thousands, ADA accessible washroom facilities, paved walkways, easy access to water and electricity for vendors – these amenities will make the market better for guests and vendors alike.”

Kenosha HarborMarket features 150 plus vendors, while the Kenosha Market hosted between 25 and 30 last year. Hovey believes that the move to the fairgrounds will allow the WestoshaMarket to grow much more quickly because of the great amenities and the relationships that Kenosha Common Markets has developed with many vendors.

Shoppers who come to the market will find freshly picked produce that is purchased directly from the grower. All growers use sustainable growing practices and certified organic products will be available. The vendor is the grower and ready to answer questions.

Vendors come from Wisconsin and surrounding states, including Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Illinois.

Artists and crafters with products such as soap and candles will have their wares for sale. In addition to produce, some vendors will offer meat and fish.

For those who are not sure what to do with the edible products they buy, there will be demonstrations on food preparations and cooking.

Some vendors will offer prepared foods and a variety of live music; from folk to bluegrass will be presented.

Hovey is excited about two grants – one from a private party and one from an industrial company – that are available to supplement shoppers who use EBT cards.

“The produce, meat and fish offered at the market is very fresh and will last longer,” she said, “and is better for you. With these two grants, those EBT dollars can be doubled.”

The effort is to help combat food insecurity and put wholesome, fresh food at hand for those who need it most.

For more information and vendor applications, visit their webpage, westoshamarket.com.


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One response to “WestoshaMarket comes to the fairgrounds”

  1. Melanie Hovey Avatar

    We are thrilled to develop the new WestoshaMarket in Wilmot! We are still accepting vendor applications. For more information, please visit our website.