By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Entering its second year, Alabaster’s farmers’ market has become a Saturday morning tradition for many local families. But with strong support from several local growers, the market’s organizers are looking to boost attendance throughout the summer season.

“It has been steady,” Sowers of Seed founder Lynn Coleman, who has worked to organize the market for the past two summers, said of attendance during the first two weeks of the 2015 market. “Farmers have been blessed with a lot of produce this year. They are bringing truckloads, and we need Alabaster to show up and take it home.”

Through a partnership with the city, Sowers of Seed, which provides summer lunches to students who otherwise may go hungry, holds the farmers’ market each Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon near the Alabaster Senior Center.

Last summer, the market was held in a gravel lot between the Senior Center and the Buck Creek Trail, but this year it has been moved closer to the Senior Center to allow visitors to walk on a paved sidewalk as they peruse the variety of local produce.

Common sights at the market include corn, peaches, locally made honey, fried pies tomatoes and more.

The majority of the fresh produce is provided by a trio of Chilton County growers, while other local farms provide meat and other items each week.

All proceeds from the Alabaster farmers’ market are used help Sowers of Seed provide summer meals to children in need.

“Our growers don’t need to take anything back at the end of the day,” Coleman said. “It is important for residents to come out and take advantage.”

Alabaster City Manager George Henry echoed Coleman’s thoughts.

“The Alabaster farmers’ market continues to be a well attended and received amenity,” Henry wrote in an email. “We are entering the third week and really need folk to continue to support it because if not the growers and artisans will not have the motivation to return each week.”

The following musicians will perform at the market on the following weeks:

June 27t– Quenton Smitherman (Contemporary Christian)

July 4 – Homeland USA Larry Tidwell (Elvis, gospel and more)

July 11 – Robert Robinson (folk and bluegrass)

July 18 – Andy Meginniss (‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s)

July 25 – Intermission

Aug. 1 – Over the Mountain (bluegrass and gospel)

 

The following artisans will appear at the market on the following dates:

 

June 27 – Lanelle Fry (Spirit Gear), Beau Cottrell (Beauvine Leather), Anita Brantley (This n That by Anita B)

July 4 – Becky Cochran (homemade soaps) and Beau Cottrell (Beauvine Leather)

July 11 – Lanelle Fry (Spirit Gear), Janie Moffett (Hand crocheted market/beach bags & stained glass)

July 18 – Becky Cochran (homemade soaps) and Joyce Odom (Common craft with baby clothes and embroidered items)

July 25 – Lanelle Fry (Spirit Gear) and Beau Cottrell (Beauvine Leather)

Aug. 1 – Lanelle Fry (Spirit Gear) and Beau Cottrell (Beauvine Leather)