Thanks for help at Batavia market

Batavia MainStreet presented the 12th annual Batavia Farmers Market and would like to recognize businesses and individuals involved in our downtown market. The Thanksgiving season is a great time to pause and count our blessings, thanking those involved in making our market the ongoing success it is.

First, thank you to our seasonal vendors who provide fresh quality produce, meats, breads, flowers and dairy products. The market would not be possible without your quality businesses and commitment to serving our community.

This year's seasonal vendors included: Erewhon Farms, Farm Direct Angus Beef, Gloria's Gourmet Meats, Great Harvest Bread Company, M & D Farms, Paw Paw River Farms, R. Murphy Cheese, Stojan's Vegetables, Sycamore Winery and The Olive Mill. Also thank you to the many businesses that participated in the expanded south market. We enjoyed the variety of businesses and the enthusiasm you brought to the market and hope it was productive in getting your word out.

Second, we thank LaSalle Bank, Provena-Mercy Medical Center; and Quarry Stone Condominiums for being Market sponsors this year. Your investment in our downtown and the market is appreciated.

Third, a big thank you to Dawn Williams, our market manager, who came on board this year and did a great job keeping all the vendors and volunteers organized.

Fourth, many thanks to the MainStreet market volunteers who came early to set up and be a resource at the MainStreet tent or those who came late to assist at the tent and help take down each week.

The Batavia Farmers Market is now looking for volunteers for the 2008 season to give 2 to 3 hours per month (July-October). Contact the MainStreet office at (630) 761-3528 or e-mail britta@downtownbatavia.com if you might be interested in donating your time at the market next year.

Fifth, we thank all the shoppers of the market and encourage you to be back next season. Bring your friends and neighbors next year and tell them you'll "see them at the market" to make sure our vendors get enough support to continue this downtown favorite event.

Sixth, we appreciate the city's willingness to close S. Water Street for the Market each week and for providing street barricades and to Batavia Enterprises for storing our market equipment for the season.

Finally, we encourage all non-profit groups and businesses to plan now for your participation in the 2008 Batavia Farmers Market, to be held Saturdays from 8 a.m. -noon July through October.

Every non-profit that serves Batavia receives one free market space during the season and we'd love to fill up the street next year and help you promote and raise funds for your organization! 2008 Batavia Farmers Market applications will be available online at our Web site in early spring at www.downtownbatavia.com.

Britta McKenna

Executive Director

Batavia MainStreet