It's that time of year again.
As is tradition in the village, the Pleasantville Farmers' Market is kicking off on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend in—fittingingly—the Memorial Plaza parking lot.
“Since 1991, when we started our first farmers market in Ossining, New York, the goal has always been to connect people directly with farmers," said Community Markets Founder Miriam Haas in a statement.
The Pleasantville market has been around and operated by Community Markets, an Ossining-based organization, since 1997 and attracts a variety of sellers from the tri-state area. It operates every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through December 15.
Returning this season are the following vendors: Wiltbank Farm, Bobolink Dairy, Trotta Pasta, Benmarl Winery, Newgate Farms, , Pika’s Farm Table, Go-Go Pops, Mead Orchards, Pura-Vida Fisheries, Tierra Farm, Kiernan Farm, Little Seed Gardens, Cowberry Crossing Farm, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Calcutta Kitchens, Amazing Real Live/Chaseholm Creamery, Kontoulis Family Olive Oil, Feather Ridge Farm, J & A Farm, , Dutch Desserts, Bread Alone, Alpacatrax, Thornwood Farm and Meredith’s Bread.
"Even with our artisanal producers, we make sure that they source their ingredients from area farms," Haas said. "We’re doing our job when we’re able to help keep farms and local businesses healthy."
There will also be some new faces this season, including Stefan's Pure Blends, Eden Farms Greenhouses, Red Barn Bakery and Warwick Valley Winery.
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Also back this year is a series of family-friendly entertainers and local experts.
This Saturday, for example, Pleasantville's own Nannyhagen Creek will be entertaining at the market, while The Great Charlini, a magician, will also be in attendance.
Meanwhile, stop by tomorrow to speak with Pleasantville resident and registered dietitian Marina Stopler about the benefits of plant-based diets. She will be making three additional appearances at the market throughout the season.
"This year, we are very excited to announce that is going to be sponsoring our music and other events that produce at the market," said Peter Rogovin, chairman of the all-volunteer Pleasantville Farmers' Market Committee.
This year, market-goers can look forward to "live music every week...family and kids events every week," he revealed.
"We are also doing our culinary events," Rogovin said, citing "the return of the , guest chefs at the market and we'll have our , tomato tasting, apple tasting..."
Though this week's weather has been somewhat unpredictable, the National Weather Service is calling for sunshine and heat (think mid 80s) for opening day.
"It's going to be an event-packed summer," said Rogovin. "I hope everyone comes out."
