Sharbot Lake farmers market draws a crowd

Jun 16, 2011

Photo: Marlene Bertrim, Natalie and Christina Wotherspoon and Carol Pepper purchase goods from Pat Furlong and her daughter Robin Brownlee

A steady stream of shoppers made the first ever Sharbot Lake farmers’ market, which was held at Oso beach on June 11, a resounding success. Shoppers were parked in their cars at the beach well before the market opened at 9 a.m., demonstrating that the event is definitely creating a local buzz.

Seven local vendors participated and sold a wide variety of goods, including pure wild flower honey maple syrup and other maple products, fresh herbs, edible flowers, fresh rhubarb, plants, organic meats all natural skin care products, beeswax candles, baked goods, and embroidered clothing.

Vendors included Jen Farnum and Mark Saunders of Crooked Hills Farm; Jason Conboy of Conboy and Sons Maple Syrup; Sasha and Lucie Gilchrist of Honey Bee Happy products; Dean and Valerie Wedden of Upper Frontenac Graphics; and local growers Mary de Bassecourt and Glenys Bender.

Participating vendor, Pat Furlong of Elphin Gold Organic Farm, who organized the market and is the new chair of the Hands on Harvest group, was thrilled with the turn out. “I was totally flabbergasted by the local support and for a first-time market it totally outdid my expectations.”

Many vendors sold out of their goods by noon and all were pleased to have a new local retail outlet for their goods. The number of participating vendors is increasing and Pat expects to have three more vendors joining the group at next week’s market. For anyone who missed it, the market takes place at the Lions pavilion at the north end of Oso beach from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.