Mark your calendars for our Natchitoches Farmers Market starting April 28. For the 2018 market, there’s lots of new vendors and programming, and unique demonstrations to take part in. Visit the booths, listen to live music, enjoy food and drinks, and learn by participating in activities and demonstrations.
The Natchitoches Farmers Market is part of Ready, Set, Go: the City’s initiative to improve the health and wellness of residents through a three part plan. The market will SET up shop Saturdays from 8 am – 12 pm from April 28 – July 28. It will be located on the south end of Front Street from April 28 – June 2and on the downtown riverbank from June 9 – July 28.
The Farmers Market offers $5 in free Kids Club Tokens each Saturday for the first 50 children ages 2-13. These tokens can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables! The market also accepts cash, credit, debit, and SNAP.
“This market season is filled with adventure and healthy opportunities,” said Valerie Balthazar, Farmers Market Coordinator.
SCHEDULE:
April 28: “Flutterin’ On The Bricks”
- Monarch Butterfly Demo by Judy McIntire
- Kids plant milkweed seeds for grow plants that will attract butterflies
- Make healthy butterfly themed snacks
- **4-H Day
May 5: “Butter Me Up”
- Quilting Demo by Cane River Quilters
- Kids make homemade butter
- Portable Park will be on site
- Make grilled guacamole to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
May 12: “Mama Will You Bee My Honey”
- Honey Bee Demo by Audrey Adams
- Kids make pot holders for mom for Mother’s Day
- Honey tasting
May 19: “Life’s A Garden, Dig It”
- Herb Growing Demo by the Natchitoches Parish Master Gardeners
- Kids make egg carton herb gardens
- *Trash to Treasures
- **4-H Day
May 26: “Toting My Veggies”
- Wood Carving Demo by Billy Phillips
- Kids will decorate heir very own tote bag
- Peach Salsa tasting
- **4-H Day
June 2: “Battle Of The Badge”
- File Demo by John Oswald Colson “The File Man”
- Hamburger cook-off featuring the Natchitoches Fire Department, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Natchitoches Police Department (ingredients used in burgers will come from the Farmers’ Market).
- **4-H Day
June 9: “The Chicken Or The Egg”
- Backyard Chicken Raising Demo
- Kids make their own aprons for cooking
- English Muffin Egg Pizza tasting
June 16: “My Dad Rocks”
- Fruit & Veggie and BBQ Demo
- Kids make presents for Dad using rocks
- *Trash to Treasures*
- **4-H Day
June 23: “Sock It To Me”
- Sock Doll Demo by Gena Wagley
- Fruit & Veggie skewer tasting
- Natchitoches Parish Library Book-Mobile on site
June 30: “Farmers’ Market 2nd Annual Corn Easting Contest”
- Corn-on-the-cob Eating Contest
- Kids make watermelon pizzas to celebrate Independence Day
July 7: “Blending For Health”
- Food Demo
- Natchitoches Parish 4-H bike blender on site
- Author: TBA
- **4-H Day
July 14: “You Rock My World”
- Food Demo
- Kids make garden markers out of rocks
- Book-Mobile on site
July 21: “Farmers On The Bricks”
- Farm Animal Demo- Get up close with heifers, goats, pigs, and a milking cow
- 7-layer dip tasting
- *Trash to Treasures
July 28: “Mini Makers Fair”
- Mini Makers Fair- Youth ages 5-14 will sell their produce, baked goods, and Arts&Crafts
- Deviled egg and veggie dip tasting
*Trash to Treasures events are a new feature of the Farmers Market which will include repurposed and refurbished items, DIY projects, handcrafted items, shabby chic and architectural finds, as well as any antiques you’ve come to enjoy in the Historic District. Trash to Treasures will be held once a month, located on Touline Street. To participate contact Valerie Balthazar at 318-663-5190.
**4-H Days feature Natchitoches Parish 4-Hers who will man the community table, which features locally grown produce. A percentage of what these students sell will go back to their 4-H clubs for future programming.
For more information call (318) 238-4211 or go online to http://readysetgonatchitoches.com. Find the Natchitoches Farmers Market on Facebook @ Natchitoches Farmers Market.
This project is funded through a Healthy Behaviors Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation. The Healthy Behaviors Program Grant funds projects which have a focus on healthy eating, active living, or prevention of tobacco use, substance or alcohol abuse. To learn more about grant funding from The Rapides Foundation, visit www.rapidesfoundation.org, and click on “Grants.”
