Kids day at Lewes farmers market set July 20

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will celebrate kids day from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 20, at George H.P. Smith Park on the corner of Johnson and Dupont avenues in Lewes.

The day starts with a tree planting at 9 a.m. All children and their parents are welcome to help plant the tree donated by the farmers market. More fun follows with story time, bocce instructions, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and healthy snacks for kids.

The Lewes Public Library continues its children’s story time the market after the tree planting. Jennifer Noonan, Hope Ellsworth, and others from the library donate their Saturday mornings to share stories. This Saturday, they will read Joan L. Nodset’s “Who Took the Farmer’s Hat?” Illustrated by Fritz Siebel, this is a very funny story about a farmer looking for his old brown hat.

At 10 a.m. in the demo tent, Chef Justin Jordan from Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth Beach will demonstrate a great summer meal especially for kids made with fresh, local products from the market.

It’s busy at the market in July and August, so biking or walking there is a great idea. In this spirit, the market continues its tradition of giving away a bicycle in its free annual bike raffle.

This year the prize bicycle is a Jamis Earth Cruiser 2 in plum purple. The cruise-control handlebars are designed to promote a comfortable riding position. It also has a cushy seat, smooth-rolling tires, and no-slip pedals. There is a black basket that can easily be removed to use at the market, and a ding-dong bell to announce one’s arrival.

Tickets for the raffle are free, and the winner will be drawn on Labor Day weekend. Customers can fill out an entry ticket each week at the market’s information tent. This beautiful cruiser was purchased locally at Seagreen Bicycle, 209 Monroe Ave., Lewes.

The market continues its SNAP (EBT Food Stamps) program to help lower economic barriers to local, healthy food by matching up to $20 each participant each week with HLFM Bonus Bucks. SNAP participants can pick up tokens at the SNAP tent to use at the market. WIC and SFMNP will also be accepted.

Ample parking can be found at the Shields Elementary School and Lewes School parking lots at Savannah Road and Sussex Drive. The market provides a veggie valet service near the information tent to help customers carry items to their cars.

In case of inclement weather, the market moves to Shields Elementary School parking lot. More information about the market is available at www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org or by calling 302-644-1436.