KENILWORTH – Wellington North’s Cultural Moment for May celebrated The Wellington North Farmer’s Market
The item submitted by Wellington North Farmers Market Manager Harry Engel was read by Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox at the May 13 council meeting.
In the submission, Engel stated “This is a true story about a dream that connected to a reality. The dream began the moment I stepped into the old Mount Forest Community Centre in August of 2009. Victory Church had just occupied the building and I was standing there, alone on the arena floor, dreaming about what we could do with such an amazing place. My thoughts went to a time when I was a kid growing up in Woodstock and my parents would take me every Saturday morning to the local market. Maybe because I was young all the sights, sounds, and smells created a sort of excitement in the atmosphere, but my parents were also happy to be there. Every vendor seemed to be their friend as they would talk about local events and news and the latest political outrages I had no clue about. As I stood there in the arena I thought, we should start a farmer’s market here. It was a great dream …
“The thing I find about great dreams is convincing others they’re great enough to bring to fulfillment. This is the “reality” part of this story. I had great childhood memories of going to the market, but no idea how to start one. This was probably my struggle in trying to convince others, I had no experience, it would cost money, and it would require a lot of work … volunteer work. In 2012 I contacted April Marshall, who had just been hired by the township and she came to meet with me. April and I stood in the same place where I had the dream and she listened, I was excited, then she spoke those dreaded, politically correct words … ‘Let me think about it.’ In 2013 I get a call from April ‘do you still want to start a farmers’ market, I have a few vendors that are interested?’ The dream came off the shelf that day and entered into reality. April helped begin this amazing relationship between the Township of Wellington North, Mount Forest Victory Church and the community.
“Working together we have developed a growing market that is going into its sixth season. In the last five years I have witnessed our market become very much like the dream I had. It is a place for our predominantly agricultural area to shine by connecting with our community. A 2009 farmers’ market survey showed 67 per cent of Ontario shoppers state that buying directly from a local farmer is extremely important. I know our market is providing this valuable service and so much more.
“The Wellington North Farmers’ Market is a testament to what can be accomplished by working together for a common purpose; to make our township the very best it can be. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this vision and we are committed to seeing this market continue well into the future.
“Our sixth season begins on May 31 from 3 to 6:30pm. and runs every Friday, rain or shine, until Oct. 11. Come check it out and experience all the wonderful products our market has to offer.”
