CRESTVIEW — The revived Friday downtown farmers market’s added evening component of featuring live music and box dinners has had a ripple effect on Main Street businesses.
Friday afternoon, downtown shoppers paused to inspect fresh produce and baked goods ranging from Napoleons to artisan breads. Nearby, a Swiss sausage maker offered an array of European-style wursts.
That night, live music was added to the mix for the inaugural Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market. The Yellow River Winery and Wine Bar sponsors both markets.
Resident Audrey Milcarek said the activity spilled over to other downtown venues. As people packed into Java Journey Connection for improv night, others visited downtown restaurants and peeked in shop windows.
"It was wonderful!" Milcarek said. "Melissa's Sidewalk Cafe was there, the wine was flowing and it was real nice. I went across the street and got Dozer (a therapy dog) a present from Pawsitively Scrumptious."
"This is great," Crestview resident Carlee Pohl said. "Usually downtown is dead on a Friday night."
"Downtown was a really nice place to be on Friday night," Milcarek said. "It was a happening place."
The farmers market re-opened in April, continuing a traditional curb market begun in the 1970s.
Space is available free of charge to vendors who grow produce.
Want to go?
The Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market is 6-8 p.m. Fridays at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Main Street.
The Main Street Farmers Market is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays at the same location.
Admission is free. Call 546-6274 for details.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Farmers market expands to Friday evenings with music and food