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Hundreds turn out for opening day of 35th annual Farmers Market in Wilkes-Barre

June 27, 2008

Farm-fresh fun

MIKE McGINLEY mmcginley@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – Daniel Engle of Wilkes-Barre has been coming to the Farmers Market every year since he’s been alive.

The 2-year-old is following the tradition his grandmother Ann Jones has been keeping since the market’s beginning 35 years ago.

“It’s gotten so much bigger. I love it,” said Jones, who claims she’s never missed an opening day.

She loves the fresh corn and Daniel likes munching on French fries and watching people socialize.

The 35th annual Farmers Market kicked off Thursday morning on Public Square and hundreds turned out for live music, fresh produce and downtown fun. This opening day was special for some, such as Frank Henry, chairman of Martz Trailways.

The city honored the bus company on its 100th-year anniversary. For the celebration, Martz transported the world’s oldest bus to Public Square from the National Bus Museum in Mechanicsburg. The antique Model 20 bus, which seats 21, was used to transport coal miners from Plymouth to Wilkes-Barre. It was designed by Frank Martz and first used in 1912.

“The people of the Wyoming Valley have supported us and I hope we’ve supported you over the years,” Henry said.

After accepting a proclamation and key to the city from Mayor Tom Leighton, Henry said: “… Mayor, we do believe.”

Leighton thanked King’s College for sponsoring this year’s entertainment lineup. On Thursday, Windfall Enterprises performed and opened with the song “Celebration,” but the group wasn’t on the familiar John “Jake” Sauer band shell, which is a fixture at most city events. The band shell was rented out to the Northeast Fair in Pittston Township, which runs through Sunday. Other musical groups are scheduled to perform until Aug. 28.

While Leighton and Henry spoke, many people wandered through the Square, checking out the produce. From squash and broccoli to cherries and strawberries, vendors had quite a selection.

Albert Broyan of Broyan Farm Produce in Nescopeck said more will be available over the next few weeks. Visitors can expect fresh peppers, onions and eggplant, all of which are grown on the family’s 250-acre farm.

Harold Golomb of Golomb’s Farm in Plains Township said he looks forward to the market every year – and brings an assortment of flowers and vegetables.

“It not summer until the farmers come in,” he said. “It’s access to a large crowd of people for us.”

But, farmers weren’t the only ones seeing customers come their way.

“It’s a little better than normal,” said Lou Sapolis of Lou’s Concessions, which sells chicken cheese steaks, sweet potato fries and Texas burgers.

His stand was among more than a dozen food vendors at the market.

Frank and Connie Gudman of Tunkhannock stopped by on their way home from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. They relaxed on a bench near the fountain as they indulged in haluski, potato pancakes and a gyro.

The Farmers Market runs through Nov. 20 and is open from 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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