(The following is a press release from the City of Bristol)
The City of Bristol invites the community to opening day of the 2021 season of the Bristol Farmers Market to be held in Downtown Bristol at Centre Square on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10am-1pm. The market will continue each Saturday through October 30, 2021.
Immediately following the opening of the market at 10 am, the mural, located in the new City parking lot area at Centre Square, will be unveiled by artist Nick Stafko from Black Pearl Custom Artwork, members of the City of Bristol Arts & Culture Commission, City Council members, the Economic & Community Development Office, and the Mayor.
This year, the Bristol Farmers Market is shifting to the other sideof Hope Street, which will accommodate the many returning vendors along with new ones. In addition, the new location will allow for dedicated areas for the free musical entertainment and a food truck area with picnic tables and corn hole games for customers to enjoy after they shop. Parking is available in the new City parking lot at Centre Square and on North Main Street or on Riverside Avenue. Additional parking is also available at the Bristol Health Medical Center with access from Hope Street. Parking and the entrance to the market is accessible from Hope Street.
“The Farmers Market not only fills a much needed access point to healthy food for Bristol and surrounding communities, but is also an opportunity for the City to showcase the potential of what Centre Square has to offer those who visit, work, and live in the downtown area,” stated Mayor Ellen Zoppo Sassu. “Each week the Farmers Market attracts up to 1,000 people to the downtown area where they can shop for healthy food and locally-made products and then stay to enjoy food and drink from local businesses – whether it be from the food trucks at the market or the restaurants and two breweries in the area.”
“The addition of a mural at Centre Square transforms an empty wall space through public art to the downtown area,” stated Lindsay Vigue, Chair of the City Arts & Culture Commission. “Our hope is that this colorful mural will be enjoyed by the community when they utilize the new parking lot and the walking path that connects it to Main Street as they visit and patronize the downtown businesses and the weekly Farmers Market.”
The Bristol Farmers Market will offer products ranging from farm fresh vegetables, fruits and products from local farms; to hand-made beef jerky; to baked goods; coffee; maple syrup; beer; craft spirits;organic snacks; and other locally-produced products. Some new additions to this year’s market will be Better Half Brewing, offering their canned beer and 3rd Day Nutraceuticals, offering natural remedies for allergies, inflammation, hydration, and immunity.
“We are happy to welcome back vendors from previous seasons and excited to welcome new vendors as well. Providing a dedicated area for customers to enjoy food, free musical entertainment, and a game of corn hole after shopping is an exciting new addition to the market this year,” stated Dawn Nielsen, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist for the City of Bristol.
The City of Bristol Farmers Market is recognized by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture as accepting payment vouchers from the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. All participating farms are certified by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
For a map of the new location, a list of vendors, parking, and to stay up to date on weekly food trucks and entertainment, visit: bristolallheart.com/farmersmarket