SKOWHEGAN – At the Skowhegan Farmers Market on Saturday, a hammered dulcimer played Irish dance tunes while children had their faces painted and visitors enjoyed a small art exhibit showing the works of local potters, artists and weavers.

Music and art are not what some may expect among the radishes and chevre cheeses, but having a diverse, family-oriented market is one of the keys to its success.

Skowhegan’s market, celebrating its 11th year, is clear evidence of that, having grown in the past three years from four vendors to 16.

Market master Sarah Smith said the diversity and growth are a perfect fit with Skowhegan’s downtown revitalization.

“We have music every week,” she said. “We have events that feature artists and educators, environmental education.” In addition, the market provides benches for resting and a wide, diverse choice of vendors. There were soap makers, honey vendors, cheese makers, bakers, organic produce growers, a buffalo meat vendor, and Jade, a little girl with her own organic lemonade stand.

Sarah Baker and her husband, Joseph, of North Woods Naturals in Bingham, have been raising organic vegetables for 30 years and have been selling at the Skowhegan market for six. “The buy-local movement is getting bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “This is an event, not just a market.”

Aug. 3-9 has been declared Maine Farmers Market Week and Commissioner of Agriculture Seth Bradstreet III is encouraging Mainers to visit a local market.

“This week is in honor of farmers in Maine who grow and provide us with food and fiber supplies,” Bradstreet said Friday. “The vitality of farms across our state is good for local economies, good for consumers, and good for Maine residents.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports more than 4,500 farmers markets now operate throughout the nation – a record number, up from 2,800 in the year 2000. Sales generated by farmers markets nationwide have been estimated to exceed $1 billion a year, with most of the money going directly to small family farmers. Maine has approximately 80 farmers markets statewide.

The commissioner challenged Maine residents to eat local for at least one day during Maine Farmers Market Week.

“Choosing a period of time to eat only foods produced within 100 miles of home is a great way for all Maine residents to draw public attention to the committed farmers at work in the state who provide us with safe, fresh, abundant food,” he said. “Farmers and consumers benefit from farmers markets. Farmers have direct access to markets to supplement farm income. Consumers have access to locally grown, farm-fresh produce and the opportunity to personally interact with the farmers who grow the produce. The community also benefits. Many urban communities can gain easy access to a new source of quality food.”

Bradstreet said the markets also help to promote nutrition education, wholesome eating habits, and better food preparation, as well as boosting the community’s economy.

That’s evident in Skowhegan, where the marketplace was filled on Saturday as vendors did a brisk business.

“Every year this market gets stronger,” said Arleen King-Lovelace of Brighton Farm. “People are climbing on board with buying local.”

A full listing of Maine’s farmers markets can be found at www.getrealmaine.com.

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