The inaugural season of the Glenwood Farmers Market came to a close Saturday, July 25. Organizers say the weekly event was a success, drawing people downtown to shop for locally grown produce and handmade goods, enjoy live music and spend time with friends, neighbors and visitors.

Residents had talked for years about starting a farmers market, but making it happen required extensive planning and coordination, said Kayla Hartsfield, president of the Glenwood Downtown Network. The first market was held May 23 during Memorial Day weekend.

“We could not be more thrilled with how our first year of the Downtown Glenwood Farmers Market went,” Hartsfield said in a written statement. “The market ran for ten consecutive Saturdays, with 15-20 vendors, live music, and kids games every weekend which we consider a huge success in itself.  None of it would have been possible without the local vendors, volunteers, musicians, and customers who came out every weekend to setup, play music, shop local, and support our market.”

Attendance remained steady each Saturday, she wrote, with holiday weekends drawing even larger crowds. The number of vendors grew as the summer progressed. 

“People began to see the success that our market was having. Each week brought a great crowd with a mix of both locals and out of town guests which I think is one of the things that made our market especially unique,” Hartsfield wrote. “Most rural, small town markets do not have the tourism traffic that we have here in Glenwood and after visiting with tourists about the market I know that they really enjoyed having the opportunity to visit our market and support our vendors while they were in town.”

Six local musicians rotated performing throughout the season, organized by Music Director Jim Scott and his wife Michelle.

“The music made the market feel like a really special place. It made people want to stick around, browse the booths, and hang out a little bit longer than they typically would have,” Hartsfield wrote. “For our organization, this market was always about more than fresh produce and handcrafted goods. It was about creating a gathering place that strengthens our downtown, supports small businesses, and brings our community together.”

Plans are already being made for next year’s market, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, May 22.