Submitted by Kristy Benson.
The Higganum Farmers Market is pleased to kick off their second year of the revamped market that takes place in front of the Haddam Elementary School every Friday starting June 4th! Due to easing Covid restrictions, the market plans to run many themed days throughout the 17-week season, and they have much in store for the town. Every Friday (from 3:30-6:30 p.m.), expect to hear live music from area bands and solo artists, as well as entertainment and events for kids. Feel free to bring a chair or two and snack your way through the market!
This year, the market will run from June 4 through August 20, take a 3-week break, and return as a fall market from September 17 to October 15. In the fall, expect to see a few new vendors and special events such as Artisans Day, Health and Wellness Day, and Build a Scarecrow Day!
The market has an active Facebook page where the weekly lineups are posted, so shoppers can plan ahead, and families can see what the music and entertainment schedule is. Follow the market to stay up to date and help us spread the word! The market also has a website, www.higgfarmersmarket.com, where one can find the list of vendors, the schedule, and the themed events.
Full season vendors include Wellstone Farm, Beckett Farms, Cold Goats Farm, Bogue Farm and Bittersweet Farm. These small farms will be offering everything from seasonal produce to plants, eggs and artisanal teas.
Other full season vendors include local favorites such as Foxglove Soap Company, Andie’s Cookies, Auntie Arwen’s Spices, MJ’s Custom Jewelry, Red Horse Pottery, bread from First Church, and Granny’s Pie Factory. New to the market this season is a small business called ‘The Pantry’ and they will be offering fresh eggs, vanilla extract, New York Deli Pickles, Dilly Beans, Kitchen Sink Pickles (great for cheese boards), jams & jellies, fresh butter, small batch salad dressings, Mayo, aioli, garlic butter, freshly ground wheat flour, grape juice, and more!
June 4th kicks off with the above vendors, plus Rogue Coffee Company, vending their delicious frozen drinks, frappes, and smoothies, and live music by the Auburn Mode.
Themed days kick off one week after opening, so on June 11th, be prepared to honor our frontline workers that have been and continue to be serving our community. Live music will be provided by Gale Gardiner, and Bittersweet Farm will be handing out free cups of iced tea to the frontline of Haddam. The fire department and ambulance crews will be on hand for kids to visit, and for us all to thank them for what they do.
June 18th is Pet Day and a costume contest, so get those cute little critters dressed up and down to the market for an informal judging and parade! Special vendors that day will include Dog and Hen, Curly Tail Candles, Adlebrook Barkery, Rozz Squad Designs, and entertainment for the kids by TeachArt2Me. Expect to shop a variety of pet-themed products from candles to dog biscuits, paw balm, cat nip, nesting box herbs for chickens, and enjoy face-painting, henna tattoos, and balloon art as well! Live music will be provided by The Midnight Anthem.
June 25th is Eco-Awareness Day, and in addition to the regular lineup, special eco-themed businesses will be set up as well. The Haddam Land Trust, Sustainability Committee, Uconn Master Gardeners, Uconn Master Composters, The River Cog Regional Agricultural Council, and other civic groups will be on hand to spread awareness about recycling in town, composting, and sustainability. Guest vendors include upcycler Janet Varney, Noteworthy Crochet, Creative Sews, and more! Rogue Coffee Company returns for Eco day, and live music by Willie T and Doctor X. Kids! On Eco day (June 25) make sure to pop into the market to start some seeds and take them home with you!
The market is always looking for town groups and civic organizations to take part, especially on July 23rd, Haddam Appreciation Day, where the market will highlight all the wonderful businesses, groups, and people that make this town great.
Other exciting, themed days to mark on the calendar include July 30th – Kids Day! TeachArt2Me will be on hand for face painting, henna and glitter tattoos, balloon art, and maybe even a visit from a live costumed character! Kids can join in a market-wide scavenger hunt, complete with prizes for the top winners!
August 6th, Kids Become Vendors returns to the market, after a successful event last year, and we cannot wait to see what our local kids have created! Space is limited, so if any child wishes to sign up for a booth spot, please see or contact Market Master Kristy Benson.
This is Kristy second season as Market Manager, and she is so excited to unveil the plans for this year’s market. Last year was a challenge in so many ways, and there were so many things that the market could not do. When farmers markets were deemed essential by the state, we were just grateful to set up every week, and provide access to food, farms, and fun things in a safe shopping environment. After last year, I think everyone realized how essential farmers markets really are – and not just for farms and food, but as a place for the community to gather, see their neighbors, stay up to date on what is happening in town, and have a place to go every Friday in the summer and enjoy all the amazing goodies that this town and its’ small businesses have to offer. Kristy owns Bittersweet Farm, a small tea company that makes over 30 kinds of teas that vary from medicinal to seasonal and beverage teas. Bittersweet, and Kristy and her family, just relocated to Higganum in March of 2020 and are working on turning their 2 acres into a functional herb farm.
Kristy can be reached at kristy@bitter-sweetfarm.com (email) or by phone 860-918-2344.
