Farmers Market to hold soft opening April 23

The Pea Ridge Farmers Market will have a soft opening on Sunday, April 23, with plenty of strawberries.

Other vendors are welcome to set up for the day as well, according to Farmers Market coordinator Carol Roper.

If the weather holds, strawberries will be available a little earlier this year, and Roper is eager to share those berries with the community. Vendor Dennis McGarrah, Pea Ridge's largest farmer, will have the strawberries for sale, Roper said.

The market also will be open on Sunday, April 30, with an official opening set for Sunday, May 7.

The market's hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays for the season. If a sufficient number of vendors can be secured for Thursdays, the market may be open on those days as well.

The market is located at 197 Slack St., Pea Ridge.

Several vendors have already committed to featuring their products this season, including two produce vendors, a vendor that will sell pork, beef, chicken and eggs, one woods craft vendor and Roper of Heritage Gardens, who will sell jams and jellies, bandanas and produce.

Roper plans to focus on produce this year to keep up with an ever-growing demand.

The coordinator is still signing up vendors for the season. All vendors are welcome within the USDA guidelines, especially produce vendors. Small-operation vendors are also welcome, Roper said.

Anyone interested in signing up as a vendor for the upcoming season, may contact Roper through her Facebook page, Pea Ridge Farmers Market or her Heritage Gardens Facebook page.