Not having a grocery store in downtown Sykesville makes it difficult for residents to grab a few things they need for lunch or dinner, but the town is out bridge the gap by expanding its farmers' markets.

Sykesville's Apple Butter Market, which opens its season Sunday, June 29, will be joined by a new weekly farmers' market that will start July 17 and run each Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m.

"I wanted to do it around rush hour midweek because Route 32 gets backed up, and it's a perfect way for people to pull over and get whatever they need for dinner that night, make a salad and be on their way," said Ivy Wells, Sykesville Main Street manager and director of tourism.

Both markets are held at South Branch Park, West Friendship Road, and are held rain or shine.

Wells is excited about bringing farmers in to provide fresh produce to Sykesville residents.

"If you ever had to do a taste test between a fresh strawberry and a grocery store strawberry, there's no comparison," she said.

The Apple Butter Market runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the last Saturday of the month through October.

Craig Taylor, Sykesville Business Association president, said downtown merchants appreciate the market.

"We love the market because it brings people to town and there are some of the businesses that plan to have a sidewalk sale," he said. "We support it 100 percent."

The market features 18 vendors selling produce, flowers, crafts and more.

Baked goods and prepared food, such as french fries, will be available on the Carroll County side of Sykesville in the Southern States parking lot on Main Street.

"For the most part, it's mostly local people who walk down," Wells said about the markets. "We're trying to get people on Route 32, and we're doing more extensive advertising. We're trying to attract new people to check it out."

Century High School-based Shakespeare Factory will perform at 11:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. at each apple butter market. Carroll Community College's jazz choir will perform at noon and at 1 p.m. at the June 29 market.

The Sykesville and Patapsco Railway car will also be open during the Sunday markets, Wells said. Admission is free.

The Thursday farmers markets will showcase an original band each week, Wells said.

"What teens do a lot of the time is surfing MySpace looking for new music," she said. "What a joy it would be to come see new music performed live every Thursday. And if they like it, buy their CD."

The first market will feature an acoustic set by pop-rock band Unprecedented from Perry Hall.

Bands can contact Wells at ivy@sykesville.net if they are interested in performing.

---

user comments (0)