JUNE 11, 2009 ISSUE
A Farmers Market With a Twist
BE Flea, Farmers’ Market & Social Opens Saturday
It’s no secret that if you want the best locally grown produce, meats and dairy products, you’ve got to get up early, grab your tote bag and head to one of the High Country’s fabulous farmers’ markets. And while some serious shoppers are intent on finding the best bargains, others seem to take equal joy in catching up with old friends, neighbors and total strangers.
The friendly social aspect of the farmers’ market experience got Banner Elk resident Holly Palm thinking about combining the basic need for goods of all kinds, the camaraderie of the casual yard sale shopping experience and the benefits of personal interaction among friends and neighbors.
What Palm came up with is a hybrid event called the BE Flea, Farmer’s Market & Social, the first of which will take place at the Banner Elk School yard this Saturday, June 13. The market will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In addition to the usual farmers’ market fare, Palm wants local residents, sports teams, churches or whomever to bring household items, crafts and just about anything else they’re trying to sell.
“What I’m trying to create is basically a place where people can gather up their things they want to sell,” said Palm. “I’m trying to create an old fashioned social where everybody can gather and, even if you’re not looking to buy, catch up with your neighbor.
“We really want to appeal to craft people and farmers so it’s not really just a yard sale,” Palm said. “We want to encompass everything and really create a sense of community.”
Palm is asking participating vendors wanting to arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. to register and reserve their space. The registration fee is $25 per vendor.
Palm is also hoping that the BE Flea, Farmers’ Market & Social will be a family affair as her sons Chase and Preston are planning to operate a lemonade stand. The boys will donate the proceeds from their stand to the Make A Wish Foundation.
The BE Flea, Farmers’ Market & Social will take place the second Saturday of each month through August. Depending on the success of the venture, Palm is considering adding an additional market in September.
For more information on the BE Flea, Farmers’ Market & Social, call Palm at 828-898-6017 or email HolPalm@aol.com.
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