Kent Station will host a night farmers market from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from July 14 through Aug. 25.
The market vendors will line the main street through the shopping center, 417 Ramsay Way. The Kent Market is a new event for the shopping center in partnership with the city of Kent and Patty Villa, a professional market organizer.
“I am so excited about all of the things this market represents – partnership, food access and community,” Kent Mayor Dana Ralph said in a June 10 Kent Station press release. “As we come out of the pandemic, it is important to find ways to get together again. The market will provide a gathering space, opportunity for farmers to bring healthy food to market and a fun, family evening at Kent Station.”
Villa has organized farmers markets for nine years and immediately got to work getting permits and signing up vendors. Villa also operates The Village Farmers Market at Sunrise Village-South Hill in Puyallup.
“I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to help develop a market for this location,” Villa said. “It will bring local people together with local producers in an informal, family friendly environment. The support shown so far from Kent Station, the city of Kent, and others has been terrific. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide a market experience that pleases the community and that they will come out to support the local small businesses that participate.”
Vendors and sponsors interested in being part of the Kent Market can contact Villa via email at kentstationmarket@gmail.com.
“Downtown Kent is the place to be on Wednesday evenings this summer,” said Cynthia Boyd, Kent Station marketing manager. “We are beyond thrilled to be able to bring back our summer concerts after having to cancel them in 2020. The community can come out to enjoy free live music, peruse the market vendors and support Kent Station businesses. Partnering with the City of Kent and Patty Villa means that this market is set to be a huge success.”
Kent Station summer concerts begin July 14 and run from 6 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 18.
Visit kentstation.com/kent-market for more details including plans to include local nonprofits in the market and other updates.
In March, the Kent Lions Club announced it would suspend the farmers market it typically operates on Saturdays each summer at Town Square Plaza. The club also canceled the Cornucopia Days festival. The Lions Club in a statement said continuing regulations and the market’s location made it a struggle to keep the market operating smoothly and safely.
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