Westborough Farmers’ Market kicks off season in new location

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Westborough Farmers’ Market kicks off season in new location
Community members gathered last month for the opening of this year’s Westborough Farmers’ Market. (Photo/courtesy Jeanette McCarthy)

WESTBOROUGH – A revamped Westborough Farmers’ Market saw its opening day last month after a change of hands and location over the past two years.

Market Manager Jeanette McCarthy said that the Farmers’ Market had 25 vendors on opening day on June 23, up from an average eight to 10 last year.

The market boasted an assortment of different vendors including bakeries, farms, meat vendors and Indian food kits.

“The best thing about the market is really supporting the local economy and the local businesses, and that’s some- thing that I think Westborough citizens are really interested in,” McCarthy said. “It’s really great to bring everybody together and give them that opportunity.”

McCarthy said that the increase in vendors could be attributed to the market’s re- location to Congregation B’nai Shalom on East Main Street.

The Farmers’ Market had been held at the Congregational Church on West Main Street for many years. That spot had fewer parking options, though, and the area had heavy traffic.

Looking around Westborough for different parking lots that could host the market, McCarthy eventually found an ideal location in B’nai Shalom and reached out to congregation leaders.

“They were so all in. They loved the idea,” McCarthy said. “They have been a fantastic partner.”

Rotary steps in

The location of the Farmers’ Market is not the only thing that has changed over the last few years. Previously, it was organized by Dismas House, which is a non-profit social services organization based in Worcester.

McCarthy said that they decided not to continue in 2021, however.

That’s where the Westborough Rotary Club stepped in, taking over the task of running the market.

McCarthy credited Rotarians Heather Abraham and Kathy Wilfert as being instrumental in saving the Farmers’ Market. Abraham proposed that the Rotary Club begin organizing the market, and the club voted to take this role up. Wilfert has also helped manage the market since 2021.

“I think [the] Rotary [Club] does a lot of great for the com-
munity, and I don’t think that people always make the connection,” McCarthy said. “They see the things getting done, I don’t know that they know Rotary does it.”

Market features music, face painting and more

In addition to vendors, the market’s recent opening day had attractions like face painting, henna tattoos and live music from the Long Lost String Band.

Performers including Karen Amlaw, Miguel Melendez and Luanne Crosby will now continue to augment market dates throughout the remainder of the season.

Some of the vendors for the market will additionally be present throughout the entire season, while others will only sell on certain dates.

The Westborough Farmers’ Market will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 20.

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