Staff photo

It’s gonna be a busy week at the Fayetteville Farmer’ Market.

For one thing, they’re hosting the 37th annual Kid’s Day celebration during the Thursday, June 16 market. They’ve also got a big Fathers’ Day celebration planned at the markets on the Fayetteville Square and at the Botanical Garden this weekend (June 18-19).

Here’s what we know about each of the farmers’ market parties happening this week.

Kid’s Day Celebration – June 16

The Kid’s Day celebration will feature lots of free activities for children, including puppet shows, a fire engine to climb around in, farm animals, contests, and more. The market is open from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, and kids activities will begin shortly after the market opens.

Family Sized Fathers’ Day Festival – June 18-19

The “Family Sized Fathers’ Day Festival” will take place on the square during the Saturday market, and at the Botanical Garden market on Sunday.

Farmers’ Market manager Peggy Maringer said that all the streets around the square will be closed off during the market on Saturday, and that contests and giveaways in honor of Fathers’ Day will begin at around 10 a.m.

Prizes will be given for the ugliest bicycle, longest fingers, and hairiest hands. There are also four mustache-related contests planned, with prizes for longest mustache, best applied mustache (using provided fake-mustache-making-supplies), best mustache made of fresh produce from the garden, and best overall real mustache. Prizes from Lewis & Clark Outfitters, and The Mustache Goods & Wears will be given to the winners in each category, and the best overall winner will receive a free helicopter ride.

The Fathers’ Day celebration will continue at the Botanical Garden Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, with activities including a bicycle obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, and vegetable grilling. Just down the road, $25 helicopter rides will be available at Mae Farm (4618 N. College Ave.), just south of Lewis & Clark in Fayetteville.

Farmers’ Market to match SNAP/EBT funds

Maringer also shared some other interesting farmers’ market news with us today concerning the SNAP/EBT (food stamps) program.

“In the month of July, we’re going to start a matching program for people who uses SNAP/EBT benefits at Tues/Thurs market,” she said. “We’ll match up to $10 for what they spend,” she said.

The SNAP/EBT program is a new program that began earlier this year to allow food stamp recipients to use their benefits at local farmers’ markets.

The new fund-matching program is sponsored by Ozark Natural Foods, Bank of Fayetteville, and Ozarks Electric Cooperative.