The Lodi Farmers Market to kick off Thursday
The Farmers Market has returned for another season of fresh fruits and veggies, a variety of vendors and musical entertainment. The market season will kick off Thursday at 5 p.m., and will be held every Thursday through Aug. 30.
According to Lodi Chamber of Commerce President Pat Patrick, one major change for this year’s market is that someone new is running the show. Samantha Scwhager is the new market manager and has taken on the task of organizing the entire market season, a responsibility formerly held by Chet Somera.
“We’re excited to have her on board,” Patrick said.
With it being her first year running the market, Schwager said she’s eager to take on the responsibility and the organizing process has been exciting for her.
“It’s been fun to get to know all the vendors who have come year after year and as somebody who’s always gone to the market as a patron, to kind of see the in and outs of what it’s like to have it all come together from the other side,” Schwager said. “I’ve always joked that the farmers market layout is kind of like a big game of Tetris because we have lots of vendor spots, and we go for 16 weeks, so we get applications in and we are making sure that everyone gets in the right spot, so I just call it my big Tetris board.”
According to Schwager, the market will have a handful of new vendors including three new farmers, a Philly cheesesteak truck and Cowtown Creamery ice cream cart. There will also be a few new handcraft vendors, Schwager said.
The market will include about 92 vendors in all. Also new this year, a mobile barber will be joining the market the second half of the season. Musical acts will be performing in both the wine and beer garden all season.
Raymond Coates will be performing in the wine garden and the Working Class Band will be performing in the beer garden this Thursday. There will also be a bike valet at the corner of Oak and School streets and the chamber encourages patrons to ride their bikes to the market.
“People really enjoy and like the farmers market so I don’t think there is any wholesale changes because we want to keep that pleasing environment and also deliver a lot of great locally grown fruits and vegetables,” Patrick said.
After years of looking forward to the market as a visitor, Schwager said she’s excited about what’s to come now that she’s in charge.
“I love the idea that as a Lodi resident you get to come down Thursdays. You get to hang out with your friends and your neighbors and you get to do shopping with other local people who sell their goods and services,” Schwager said. “It kind of that community feel and you’re getting some of your to-dos checked off at the same time.”
According to Patrick, the Lodi Farmers Market has been deemed one of the 10 best markets in the state out of 800 markets, and his goal for this season is to maintain that position. His other goal for the season is to give the citizens of Lodi a great place to gather on summer evenings.