J.D. Potié
SHAWVILLE July 20, 2019
On July 20, around 300 people from the Pontiac and beyond gathered at the Shawville Fairgrounds to purchase some locally made goods and produce at the Pontiac Farmers’ Market
With around 15 kiosks selling everything from organic vegetables to homemade houseware accessories and cleaning products, large crowds of folks strolled around the large room from one spot to the next looking for the best deals.
A weekly event in the town for the last 15 years, the market plays an important role in bringing people to the region giving them a glimpse of the great local artisans and farmers it has, according to the event’s main organizer Ron Hodgins.
“It’s a Saturday morning tourist attraction,” he said. “A fun thing to do to get up have coffee, get dressed and come out to the market and see what’s here.”
Different than the typical Saturday Farmers’ market, this one served as a Christmas in July celebration and with Christmas style table covers, Christmas music and plenty of Christmas decorations for sale it was evident that the vendors were in a festive mood.
“We did it the last couple of years … to get some more crafts people coming in,” he said.
Taking place at the same time as the Shawville Country Jamboree, Hodgins noted that the event drew a lot more customers as well as local vendors wanting to take advantage of the big crowds expected.
“The jamboree doesn’t start until I think noon or something,” he said. “They get up, they come up and check us out. And they’re enjoying their time because they’re looking for vegetables and stuff to replenish their stock at their trailers too.”
