Chamber Moves Farmer’s Market Site

PRAIRIE GROVE — The location of the Farmer’s Market has changed to give area fruit and produce vendors more visibility and where more people can find the local produce market, according to Maylon Rice, president of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber, which is the sponsor of the Farmer’s Market, discussed suggestions from area vendors to move out of Mock Park, next to the Prairie Grove Public Library, to a site across from Battlefield Park’s main entrance on U.S Highway 62

The empty lot, once housed the old Elizabeth Hospital, that has since been torn down. This location is also the future home of the new Prairie Grove City Hall. The membership of the Chamber agreed at their monthly meeting that vendors would be more visible out along the stretch of Highway 62, across from Battlefield Park. The lot also has a pace circular drive, allowing for easy in and out of the location, said Mayor Sonny Hudson, when discussing the location change.

The Farmer’s Market is open Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, starting in June and through the summer and early fall months, Rice said.

In other business, Chamber members also discussed the upcoming Prairie Grove Chamber Golf Tournament on June 18 at Valley View Golf Course. The Chamber is still seeking hole sponsors ($75 each) and teams ($320 for a four-person squad).

Also, the Chamber discussed the upcoming 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove, on Dec. 7, 2012, and ways to partner with Battlefield State Park on anniversary medals or trinkets that can be sold to mark the event.

Holly Houser, the State Park Interpreter, in an email read at the Chamber meeting, noted there might be a need for local volunteers to help with State Park staff should some events require moving off park grounds due to space limitations. This was taken under advisement by the chamber membership.

The Chamber members also approved having their annual “Agriculture Picnic” at the West Farm northeast of the Battlefield at its next meeting on June 28. A speaker was proposed but not yet firmed up for the meeting, Rice said.

The Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce meets the final Thursday of each month at noon. The organization currently has 36 business and professional members.