Friday was the last day of the summer farmers’ market in Minocqua. But Minocqua and several other communities will be hosting winter farmers markets.
It’s sunny and cold, and customers are loading up on squashes, vegetables, and meats. Typically this would be their last chance to load up on local produce, but this year is different.
“The Woodruff winter market will be started next Friday at the Lakeland Senior Center….It’ll be inside in the multi-purpose room, and I think we’ll have 6, 7, maybe 8 of these vendors will be there all winter long.”
That’s Beth Wetzler Community Events Coordinator at the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
The first winter market in the area started in Eagle River last January, and its success inspired both Woodruff and Rhinelander to join in this year.
Brendan Tuckey of Evergood Farm says the new winter markets will be good for business.
“It’s very nice that they’re starting up right at the end of their summer markets. We’ve had a very cold year this year so a lot of our crops have kind of held off, so it’s nice to have a market that we can sell them at.”
Farmers like Tuckey will will be at all three markets, selling root vegetables, potatoes, onions, and greens for as long as they have crops in the field.
The Eagle River market begins Wednesday at the VFW from noon – 5 pm.
The Woodruff winter farmers’ market begins on Friday noon to 4 at the Lakeland Senior Center.
Rhinelander has one more week of outdoor markets. They move indoors into the YMCA beginning October 25th from 8 a.m. to noon. The indoor markets will run all winter until May 15th.
