BRICK TOWNSHIP — For the 10th year going, the Brick Farmers Market returned, bringing more than 60 vendors to Windward Beach Park Saturday morning.
Visitors to the market experienced a broad variety of products from the vendors, including farm-fresh produce, delicacies, artisanal foods, jellies and jams, pickles, crafts, florals, handmade jewelry and goods, craft beers and spirits and much more.
Redhouse Music was also at the event providing music all day, while also raising money for the Point Pleasant based nonprofit, Panthers Let’s Eat.
Christine Hessenkemper, market manager for the Farmer’s Market, told The Ocean Star, “Today is our 10-year anniversary. We have a couple of new vendors that have started this year…and plenty of return vendors as well.”
Every week, a free raffle is available for residents to enter, winning a donated gift basket from a vendor. The drawings will always be at 12 p.m., and the winner need not be present.
Hessenkemper said the event has changed dramatically since its inception 10 years ago. “We went from a small market to a very large market, as you can see. Last year was the first year we allowed dogs in the market, so that was a big plus. Many customers were asking for it so we allowed that.”
For the second year going, the Brick Farmers Market is dog-friendly; all canine guests must be leashed at all times.
“Every year, we try to change it up a little. This year we added raffles and music and now we are out seeking new vendors we don’t have already,” said Hessenkemper.
On average, the event draws 1,200 to 1,400 citizens every week. Volunteers for the Brick Recreation Youth Club mark how many people are entering into the park, along with helping vendors and making sure everything runs smoothly.
“This brings a quality of life to the community. What we like about it is when you sit here and walk, today is a little cooler, but often you will have families sitting out at the picnic tables eating some of the food they got, they will go over to the playground, they will hang out at the beach. It is a nice outing for the family for the day,” said Hessenkemper.
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