Bike to Market Day set July 1 in Lewes
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market announced that Bike to Market Day is this Saturday, July 1, when the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at George H. P. Smith Park. Market organizers urge everyone who can ride a bike (or walk) to the market to do so.
As in the past, the market continues its tradition of a free annual bike raffle. This year, the bike the market is giving away is a Sun Bicycles Revolutions Coaster Brake in peach. Tickets are free, and the winner will be drawn Saturday, Sept. 2, during Labor Day weekend. In order to enter the contest, customers need to fill out a ticket at the HLFM Information Tent. One can enter every Saturday, so market regulars have a better chance of winning. The cruiser was purchased at Seagreen Bicycle, a local bike shop at 209 Monroe Ave., Lewes.
Tomatoes, corn, blueberries, peaches, cucumbers, beets, radishes, potatoes, kale, carrots, squash, pork, beef, freshly cut flowers, and chicken and duck eggs will all be at the market on Saturday.
At 9 a.m., Jennifer Noonan, children's librarian from the Lewes Public Library, will read "Tops and Bottoms" by Janet Stevens. All children and their adults are welcome to come to Children's Story Time, a partnership program between the HLFM and the Lewes Public Library. The Story Time Tent is located near the children's playground at the park.
Rescheduled from last week, Meet the Farmer will be at 9 a.m. Jaclynne Miller of Nice Farms Creamery will talk about the dairy farm and give customers an opportunity to taste the homemade ice cream from its herd of dairy cows. At 10 a.m., Henry Bennett from Bennett Orchards will talk about the farm's blueberry and peach crop. Bennett Orchards has been placed in an agricultural preservation district and is one of Delaware's historic Century Farms. The farm has been worked by six successive generations of Bennetts since 1867.
Patrons are asked to save the date, Saturday, Aug. 5. To help celebrate National Farmers Market Week, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market will host its 11th Annual Tomato Festival. Vendors will have an extraordinary array of delicious local tomatoes just picked and ready for the table. There will also be face painting for children, guess the number of cherry tomatoes and a special event featuring the best chefs of Delmarva.
The market continues its SNAP (EBT Food Stamps) program. To help lower economic barriers to local, healthy food, the HLFM matches up to $20 each participant each week with HLFM Bonus Bucks. SNAP participants are encouraged to come to the SNAP tent to pick up the bonus $20 in tokens to use at the market.
There is plenty of parking for the market at the Shields Elementary School and Lewes School parking lots, just off the corner of Savannah Road and Sussex Drive, a short walk to the market. For customers not able to walk that far, there is a drop-off and pick-up entrance in the circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building on DuPont Avenue next to the park.
The HLFM's Wednesday Outdoor Market at Crooked Hammock Brewery is now open from 8 to 11 a.m. with an expanded number of vendors. The market is at Crooked Hammock Way and Kings Highway in Lewes.
A Veggie Valet service is provided to help customers carry bags and melons (in season) back to their cars. This service is located right outside the HLFM Information Tent.
In case of inclement weather, the market moves to Shields Elementary School parking lot.
For more information, go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org or call 302-644-1436.
