Community Market returns for annual rite of spring

6 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — Downtown Houlton was the place to be Saturday, May 25, as the annual Community Market opened for business for the first time this spring.

The market traditionally opens Memorial Day weekend, and this year the weather proved to be ideal, drawing many people into Houlton’s Market Square to see what new vendors were on tap after a long, cold winter.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2019 market season,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “The weather was perfect and we had 18 vendors at opening day with more producers asking for forms so they could sign up.”

Year after year, many vendors return each spring, and typically have their favorite spot on where to set up a booth. This year, though, there are a few changes.

“Usually we attract the same core group, but this year has been a little different, which we attribute to the popularity of our market,” Torres said. “We still have the regulars, but have been joined by people selling eggs, jewelry, herbal products for humans and pets, a person selling hand roasted coffee beans, bent wood furniture and delicious cinnamon buns which sold out in under an hour.”

Torres added as the growing season moves forward, she anticipates more traditional vegetable and produce to be offered.

The Community Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day.