TAYLOR FARMER'S MARKET: Check back in on Friday, July 10

The all-new Taylor Farmer’s Market presented by Oakwood Healthcare is off and running, and will be open against this Friday, July 10. 

The market is open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. inside the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion at Heritage Park. It will be open every Friday through September 25.

In addition, each Friday there will be an “Eat Better! Move More!” walk around Heritage Park scheduled for 10:30 a.m., beginning at the market. The walks will each have a featured leader that will be announced in advance. The opening June 5 walk will feature Mayor Rick Sollars and last week's week featured U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell.

This week's featured walker is City Clerk Cindy Bower. The walks are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend and receives a free pedometer from Oakwood – bring your children along, too. It’s a great way to help get in shape – remember, 10,000 steps a day keeps the doctors away!

As presenting sponsor of the market, Oakwood Healthcare is joined by presenters Mayor Sollars, Treasurer Edward Bourassa, City Clerk Cindy Bower, City Council Chairperson Linda Parker-Craig, Council Pro-Tem Angela Croft, Councilman Alex Garza, Councilman Tim Woolley and Councilman Dan Bzura, along with 23rd District Court Judges Geno Salomone and Joseph Slaven, and Wayne County Commissioner Ray Basham.

This year’s market also welcomes sponsors A to Z Total Heating and Cooling, Al’s Asphalt, Dentistry Calm, JS Vig, Medilodge of Taylor, MI Custom Signs, Comfort Inn and Suites, Taylor Dance, Taylor Recycling, Wade Trim, Seaway Pharmacy, Howe Peterson Funeral Homes, Shwedel Dental and Bellissimo Tan-Hair-Café.

Here are some of the vendors in the marketplace:

• Pico de Gallo (food)
• William’s Garden (food & produce)
• Flying Otter (food & wine)
• Juanita’s Gourmet Salsa LLC (food)
• Happy Harvest (food)
• Evie’s Tamales (food)
• King Honey Farm (food)
• Asian Sun Tea (food & drink)
• Wild Hog Sausage (food & produce)
• Mr. Greens (food & produce)
• Kettle Corn of Michigan (food & produce)
• Organo Gold (food & drink)
• Suzanne’s Sweet Treats (food)
• Uncle Calvin’s Sweet Potato Pies (food)
• Schact’s Produce (food & produce)
• Serendipity Cakery LLC (food)
• Chapman Sheep Farms (food & produce)
• Sunbear’s Just Bones (pet food specialist)
• Bonnie’s Royal Oils (artisan)
• Barbara Stewart (Tupperware)
• Farm House Crafts (artisan & crafts)
• From Us To You (artisan)
• Candle Coated Wicks (artisan)
• Marie Belton Crafts (artisan & crafts)
• The Fat Cat (artisan)
• Heart to Heart (artisan).

This year’s market is run by an all-volunteer force. 

Oakwood in partnership with the City of Taylor, the Taylor School District, and area leaders launched “Healthy Taylor” in November 2014. The campaign’s goals are to promote and mobilize community members and stakeholders; benefit from cross-sector partnerships; encourage systematic change; foster widespread dedication toward the goal of better health; and bring together resources to accomplish the goal.

To learn more and/or to become a Healthy Communities partner, please call Oakwood’s Ruth Sebaly (313) 412-0567.

Vendors are attracted by its central location Downriver, the high traffic volume of people at Heritage Park and the shelter that the Sheridan Center offers. Most farmer’s markets are held outdoors, where rain or hot sun can take its toll.

Market planners have also decided on “theme days” scheduled throughout the season, including:

• July 10: Healthy Taylor Day including health screens and demonstrations.
• July 17: Celebrate Baseball Day including raffles and baseball wares.
• July 24: Celebrate Christmas in July! May include a car show!
• July 31: Celebrate Reading and feed your imagination.
• August 7: Clowning Around will feature clowns, balloons and a magician.
• August 14: Safety Matters with emergency responders featured.
• August 21: Taste of Taylor to feature local restaurants.
• August 28: All About the Arts featuring art, music and dance.
• September 4: Labor Day Celebration.
• September 11: Back to School featuring education and school giveaways.
• September 18: Celebrate Fall with square dancing, fiddlers and apple cider.
• September 25: Market Appreciation Day!

The Taylor Farmer’s Market presented by Oakwood Healthcare is still accepting vendors and other ideas for this year’s events list, if you have them, are always more than welcome. If you are interested, need more information or want to share a thought, contact Kimber Dorton (kdorton@ci.taylor.mi.us) or Karl Ziomek (kziomek@ci.taylor.mi.us) or call (734) 374-1450.