Tuolumne City Farmer’s Market by Darlene Hutchins
Tuolumne City Farmer’s Market
Story and photos by Darlene Hutchins
It is a Wednesday evening in the Tuolumne City Park and locals are setting out their lawn chairs in anticipation for the band that is about to begin playing. Vendors are setting out their wares and getting ready for business. This is the weekly Farmer’s Market and Henrietta Ronten Concert in the Park Series. The Farmer’s Market and Concert Series started this year on June 3 and will have its last event on Wednesday, September 30.
Melitta Varosy and Mary Innes started the Farmer’s Market in 1998 with what they called a “trial market” of three dates. “It was a welcomed change for Tuolumne City Park, where the locals asked that we continue doing this, as it made the park a more welcomed atmosphere in Tuolumne,” stated Melitta. So in 1999, Melitta along with Mary approached the Tuolumne Park and Recreation District, who already had started the Concert in the Park Series and decided to combine the events. In the beginning, the vendors for the farmer’s market were the Summerville Elementary School kids, who sold the produce from their gardens as well as some of Melitta’s neighbors, whom she called to bring their crafts to sell. Soon the word of mouth got around and vendors were calling Mary and Melitta to sign up for a booth. Melitta said, “What used to be four to five vendors has now become 20 vendors. Among those vendors are food vendors like the gentleman who has a mobile hot dog stand, art vendors, a face painter, produce, jewelry, beef, honey & soap as well as a woman who offers massage.” The booths are still reasonably priced at a $10 per time fee.
In speaking with Judy Olson, Office Manager of the Tuolumne Park and Recreation District, she stated that they scheduled 14 bands this year. “We have vintage rock, light rock, country, Black Irish and new this year, blue grass. We have a whole variety of music for every kind of taste.” The Park and Recreation District voted to change the name of the Tuolumne Park and Recreation Concert in the Park Series to the Henrietta Ronten Concert in the Park Series after one of Tuolumne City’s most prominent member passed away a couple of years ago. “She loved music and did a lot with music for this community,” stated Bob Flucher, Tuolumne Park and Recreation District’s Board Chairman. The vote to change the name was 5-0.
So, if you are interested in fresh produce, art or jewelry or would like to sit back in on a Wednesday evening and listen to some music, you can always find something at the Tuolumne City Park at the Farmer’s Market and Henrietta Ronten Concert in the Park Series.
