Farmer’s Market organizers were pleased with the turnout for the first evening event, which not only brought out a lot of people, but a lot of younger generation shoppers and families.
“We saw a lot of new faces, a lot we didn’t recognize,” said Market President Jim Gilles. “We are reaching out to a new crowd.”
Gilles estimates 1,500 people shopped during Thursday’s evening market hours. And while Gilles said 500 to 700 people per hour visit the market on Saturday, he is still pleased with the turnout of their first evening market.
With Thursday’s success, Gilles said market organizers may look at adding more evening hours next season.
“It’s possible we would have a permanent evening market,” he said. “If the next two evening markets turn out like this one, we may just change the schedule up a little than what people are used to.”
Gilles said the experiment with later hours was an attempt to draw a younger crowd to the market.
“A lot of people can’t make morning markets, so we think an evening market has good potential,” Gilles told Owensboro Times at the beginning of the market season. “They are a growing trend in larger cities and we think it will touch a different group of people.”
The market has always had a loyal following, which has only grown since the installation of the new pavilion last year at the 1205 Triplett Street location. Gilles said the market saw a 20 percent increase in customer attendance last year, with over 31,000 visits from May to October.
There are two remaining evening markets — July 11 and August 8, both from 4 to 7 p.m..
The following is a complete schedule of the remaining Farmer’s Market dates:
Saturday, June 15 | Hats Off to Dad
Saturday, June 22 | Independence Bank’s Revolutionary Market Day
Saturday, June 29 | Farm Credit Services – Ag Day
Saturday, July 6 | Jam Fest
Thursday, July 11 | Night Market 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 13 | Owensboro Health – Food + Art + Health
Saturday, July 20 | Daviess County Fiscal Court Hometown Heroes Day – Tribute to police, fire, emergency, and armed forces personnel
Saturday, July 27 Salsa Day
Saturday, August 3 | Independence Bank – Backpack Day
August 4 to 10 | National Farmer’s Market week
Thursday, August 8 | Night Market 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 | Kentucky Legend Dawg Dayz of Summer
Saturday, August 17 | Multicultural Day at the Market
Saturday, August 24 | Community Volunteer Day
Saturday, August 31 | Labor Day Weekend
Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market hours:
1205 Triplett St. Pavilion:
Saturdays from April 20 – Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 2 – Oct. 31 from 6:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thursday Evening Market on June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 from 4 – 7 p.m.
Satellite market at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital:
Wednesdays from May 15- August 28 from 12 – 4 p.m.
