The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, July 18, at George H.P. Smith Park at the corner of Dupont and Johnson Avenues. In case of inclement weather, the market moves to the Lewes Elementary School parking lot, 820 Savannah Road.

The annual peach celebration demo will kick off at 10 a.m., when Henry Bennett, a sixth-generation farmer from Bennett Orchards, talks about what it takes to grow Bennett peaches. Then, Chef Dru Tevis of Brûlé Bakery will take some of those peaches and make a delicous dessert. 

The market's 37 local farmers and producers will bring peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, beets, peppers, plums, green beans, eggplant, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, carrots, kale, radishes, cabbage, green garlic, onions, turnips, stir-fry mixes, hydroponic and field lettuces, herbs, microgreens, breads and pastries, jams, honey, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, coffee, eggs, beef, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, cut flowers, plants and much more.

Patrons should note that dogs and other pets (except service animals) are not permitted inside the market area in order to ensure the safety of customers, vendors and volunteers.

Children’s storytime takes place at 10 a.m. each week in the yellow tent. Volunteers read books about farming, gardening and healthy eating. All children and their adults are welcome. 

The HLFM Summer Raffle ticket sales offer a chance to win a Lewes Oyster House 3-course chef’s tasting with wine pairing for six to eight guests at the LOH Chef’s Table. Raffle ticket sales continue until the final drawing Saturday, Sept. 5.

Quiltmaker Laurie Sieminski also created and donated a beautiful vegetable-themed quilt for this season’s raffle. Customers have even more chances to win restaurant gift cards, and tickets for local experiences and activities through monthly drawings. Stop by the HLFM Raffle Tent for complete prize and drawing information. Tickets are $5 each or six for $25.

All raffle proceeds go to the HLFM farmer support and food access programs.  

Organizers encourage customers to bike or walk to market if able. The circle in front of the Fred Thomas Building at the foot of DuPont Avenue will be open for accessible drop-off and pickup, with some spots available for handicap-accessible parking only. The best place customers can park is at the main Lewes Elementary lot at 820 Savannah Road, with just a short walk down a path to the park. Beebe Healthcare also allows market customers to park in its outside lot.

The HLFM is producer-only, so customers are able to buy directly from the farmers who grow the produce.

For a list of all vendors, their contact information and whether they take preorders, go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org. Customers will pick up preorders at the vendor tent in the market.

The market processes payments from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and Women, Infants and Children Program benefits, and continues to match SNAP up to $20 per market, per customer. Customers may go to the SNAP tent to process SNAP/EBT.

The HLFM continues its food pantry purchase program. Market customers who want to help feed the local community may purchase local produce, meat and other food from growers at the market to donate to this program every Saturday. At the end of the market, the produce and other foods are gathered and given to local food pantries.

Go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to see vendor information with maps. The market’s weekly newsletter lists demos and more; email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org to ask to be added to the list.

The HLFM Wednesday Market at Crooked Hammock Brewery continues weekly, with vendors offering fresh produce, meats, eggs, baked goods and flowers.