Food and fun highlight Poplar Head Farmers Market

“We did well. Everybody seemed to enjoy it.”

That is how Julie Bishop, market director, described the second week of the Poplar Head Farmers Market.

“It was a little cooler our first Saturday, and people stayed (at the market) longer than they did this past Saturday,” Ms. Bishop said. “The temperatures were up, but everybody seemed to enjoy the day. We had about the same number of people that we had the first week, which is good.”

Ms. Bishop made it a point of emphasis for the public to be aware that the market is open from 8 a.m. until noon. There are no early closures by the vendors.

“Our tents stay up until noon,” Ms. Bishop stressed. “For those who come late, there is still a good assortment of vegetables right up until the end.”

As the days go by, Ms. Bishop says more fresh produce will be available. The spring rains have put a number of farmers behind in bringing in their crops.

“One thing we have noticed is an increase in the number of watermelons and red tomatoes that are available,” Ms. Bishop said. “We’re happy to see that.”

Making fresh fruits and vegetables available from local farmers is the driving force behind the Poplar Head Farmers Market, However, Ms. Bishop says there are other parts of the event that should attract more visitors to downtown Dothan.

One of those attractions involves children. The Wiregrass Museum of Art and the Houston-Love Memorial Library are providing fun-filled activities geared toward the agricultural heritage of the Wiregrass for children to take part in each Saturday morning.

“Beverly Leach (with the Wiregrass Museum of Art) is unbelievable with the things she’s created for the children to do,” Ms. Bishop said. “This past Saturday, she did a vegetable print salad, which was a collage using different pieces of fruit and vegetables. She does a wonderful job with the children.”

The success of the first week’s art project has caused a good problem.

“Because of the large number of children participating, the museum has added another tent to give the children plenty of room to work on their projects,” Ms. Bishop added.

She also encourages shoppers at the Poplar Head Farmers Market to visit the museum.

“They have a free ‘Stroll through the Museum’ event,” Ms. Bishop said. “You can cool off in the building while looking at the various exhibits. On our first Saturday, museum officials noted that 185 guests went through the museum.”

The fun doesn’t stop with art.

“The Houston-Love Memorial Library also has a tent on the museum grounds,” Ms. Bishop said. “The children get to see and hear the debut of the new books related to agriculture.”
The 23 books will become a part of the permanent collection of the library’s Children’s Department.

Every Saturday at 10 a.m., Poplar Head Park becomes “the place” to visit for entertainment. This week’s featured performance will be by the Sisters in Song, a musical support, performing and advocacy ensemble made up of 12 educators from the Dothan City and Houston County school systems.

“They are a wonderful group,” Ms. Bishop said. “They sing a great variety of music.”

One change has occurred in Saturday’s Poplar Head Farmers Market line-up. The exhibit and demonstration by the Working Cows Dairy of Slocomb has been postponed for at least one week, if not longer.

Various artists will also have displays on the grounds of the museum. They are a source of unusual handmade works of art and gifts.

Poplar Head Farmers Market in open every Saturday in June and July (including the Fourth) from 8 a.m. until noon. The market uses the southeast corner of the Dothan Civic Center parking lot as well as the grounds of Millennium Park and the Wiregrass Museum of Art.

Market organizers encourage customers to bring something to keep their purchases cool while they enjoy all of the activities associated with the Poplar Head Farmers Market.