Carmel Farmers Market Celebrates Old and New Summer Traditions

June 2021

The Carmel Farmers Market (CFM) volunteer committee is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the 2021 Centier Bank CarmelFest Parade on Monday, July 5, and will be hosting some fun and patriotic events for kids and families at the Carmel Farmers Market on Saturday, July 3!

A Fourth of July for the Ages

The CFM committee volunteers have been longtime participants in the annual parade that celebrates our nation’s Independence Day and have produced many jovial and memorable floats over the years. This year will be no exception, per CFM President Ron Carter.

This year’s float will feature My Dad’s Sweet Corn, the Allen Baird family and CFM committee members.

“The corn wagon will be pulled by either one of Allen’s corn trucks or by his antique tractor,” Carter shared. “The banners on the sides will say, ‘Dad Says Eat Your Veggies,’ encouraging the children to eat their veggies!”

As part of the holiday celebrations, CFM is planning the return of some activities that were first introduced at the market last year in the absence of CarmelFest, which was canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last summer, when most July 4 events were canceled, the imaginative CFM volunteers orchestrated a flyover, a walking kazoo parade throughout the market on Carter Green and live patriotic music by a group of musicians representing the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.

This year, on Saturday, July 3, CFM will boast another flyover by one of its sponsors, Indy Biplane. Additionally, CFM will invite children and guests of the market to participate in the walking kazoo parade throughout the market. And live music will be performed by TBnD Band during market hours. CFM will operate its normal market hours, 8–11:30 a.m.

New this year, CFM—in collaboration with CarmelFest organizers—will be hosting The Animal Oasis, a petting zoo, at Carter Green on July 3.

“We will have a petting zoo [at the market] courtesy of CarmelFest,” Carter said. “We are also bringing back ‘Jim Keckley Donut Day.’ We normally have it on opening day of the [summer] market, but this year, we decided to move it to the July 4 weekend, and those who come to the market will get a free donut while they last!”

Beloved Traditions Are Coming Back to Market

Sweet corn junkies, such as myself, will be elated by the arrival of My Dad’s Sweet Corn to the market this July.

Carter shared, “We’ve been up to the farm [in Tipton] and have consulted with Allen. We’re 95% sure that there will be an abundance of sweet corn available at the market beginning July 3.”

Another longstanding tradition is returning after last year’s cancellation due to pandemic restrictions. CFM will be hosting the Carmel Fire Department (CFD) for the return of the Carmel Firehouse Cook-Off. This event is coordinated by CFM committee member and longtime CFD volunteer Doug Dolan.

This “special event” showcases six CFD stations who compete in a cook-off against one another for the winning title and bragging rights. Marketgoers vote on which of the stations’ dishes they enjoyed the most and get a chance to engage with some of Carmel’s very best in the process.

There is going to be an abundance of things to see, taste and do at the Carmel Farmers Market this July. Don’t miss out on any of the 70-plus vendors and suppliers that help make this market the BEST summer farmers market in the state!

For a complete list of vendors and events, visit carmelfarmersmarket.com and remember to “Get Fresh on Saturday!”

Writer:

Janelle Morrison

Photography:

Courtesy of CFM and Jennifer Hershberger