Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market Opens 20th Season with Derby Theme

The Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market opens its 20th season Saturday with a tribute to the Kentucky Derby.

With construction slated to begin this month on Grove Street, adjacent to its traditional location at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion, the market will move to a parking lot on Orchard Street, just east of Farmington Road. Competition may be heavy for the closest parking lot just to the east of the new location, but signs around the downtown area will direct motorists to other parking areas. 

Festivities begin at 8:45 a.m., with Grace Newlin, 2nd runner up in the 2012 Miss Farmington pageant, singing the national anthem and "My Old Kentucky Home". Miss Farmington 2012 Elena Pavlicas and Farmington Mayor Pro Tem Bill Galvin will ring the bell to officially open the market.

The first 125 guests will enjoy a slice of "Horseshow Cake", created by Farmington-based McClary Bros. Bakehouse.

A variety of activities for children include Little Sprouts kids area hosted by Mayfair Co-op Preschool will have Kentucky Derby themed activities, facepainting with Pooky the Clown, balloon sculpture with Balloons 4 J, and a horseshoe kids game courtesy of Friends of the Market. 

Bob Monteleone will open the Music at the Market season. Due to the market relocation, Cookin' at the Market demonstrations will begin in July. 

To learn more, visit downtownfarmington.org. 

Correction: The market location street name was incorrectly reported in the original version of this story.