Port farmers market returns to Main Street on Saturday

Port Washington’s farmers market will begin its season on East Main Street between Franklin and Wisconsin streets on Saturday, June 2.

Thirty-two vendors have reserved spots at the market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 27 except for July 21 — Fish Day.

Market manager Ross Leinweber said all the vendor spaces at the market are reserved for the season, which runs through October.

“June is always a challenge,” Leinweber said. “The produce vendors will be limited. But we have a nice blend of food-centric vendors and craft artisans.”

Saturday’s market will likely feature root vegetables and greens, he said, although some food vendors have access to a greenhouse and may have other produce.

Honey, breads, goat-milk soap and other items will also be sold at the market, which is sponsored by Port Main Street Inc., Leinweber said.

In addition to food and crafts, the market will feature live music as the season goes on, he said.

Although there has been talk of expanding the market west of Wisconsin Street, Leinweber said that isn’t likely to occur this year.

That, he said, will likely occur whenever electricity becomes available to vendors.

“If the community were to support that effort, it would allow the market to grow further and expand,” Leinweber said.

The farmers market, which has been a summertime staple in Port for decades, is important to downtown, Leinweber added.

“I see it as a very impactful activity for Port Washington. We probably get anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 people walking through the market every week,” he said.

“These are customers who will walk to Bernie’s and bring home meat for the barbecue that night, who will stop at the bakery for bread.

“Just the foot traffic and exposure the market brings to downtown — it’s fantastic what it does to Port.”