Vendors line up for Minden farmers market

Rain or shine, Minden's first farmers market is set to kick off May 22, bringing fresh produce, baked goods, food booths and mood music to Esmeralda Avenue every Tuesday night through September.

Organizer Roxanne Stangle told the Minden Town Board on Wednesday that response to the Esmeralda Street Farmers Market had been overwhelmingly positive from merchants and residents alike.

"We have five growers from Northern California with their growers' permits and 20 other booths registered and paid for," she said.

Stangle is organizing the weekly farmers market with Howard and Kregg Herz and they are still fielding inquiries from potential sellers.

"Everybody is very excited," she said. "The public is really ready for this."

She received town approval earlier this year to close Esmeralda between Fourth and Fifth streets to set up the booths and have plenty of room for visitors to shop safely.

Stangle said the street would close at 3 p.m. and the market would operate from 4 to 8 p.m.

"We're trying to create a community atmosphere and obviously, this is the place to do it," she said.

In addition to produce, she said vendors would offer baked goods, wine tasting, honey and fresh eggs. Live musicians are scheduled to provide background music.

The Minden fair opens one day before the 10th season of the farmers market in Gardnerville gets under way at Lampe Park.

The Lampe market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays May 23 through Sept. 19.

Presented by the Sierra Farmers Markets and the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department, the market offers everything from fresh produce to outdoor decor and debuted in 1998.

DETAILS

-- Esmeralda Avenue Farmers Market, May 22-Sept. 25; 4-8 p.m. between Fourth and Fifth streets, Minden. Information, Roxanne Stangle, 782-2444.

-- Lampe Park Farmers Market, May 23-Sept. 19; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Lampe Park, Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville. Information, Douglas County Parks and Recreation, 782-9828.