How to go
What: Farmers market
Where: Springfield Center for the Arts at Wittenberg, 150 Cliff Park Road
When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: No cost; merchandise and produce available for purchase
More info: Call 324-2712 or go to www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org.
How do you follow the Fourth of July, that most American of holidays? With an event devoted to homegrown foods and live entertainment.
The Festival Farmers’ Market will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Springfield Center for the Arts at Wittenberg, 150 Cliff Park Road, Springfield. The event is part of the Summer Arts Festival, presented by the Springfield Arts Council.
Farm-fresh produce and agricultural products from local growers will be for sale. To set the mood, bluegrass music will be performed by the Tarheel Boys from 11 a.m. to noon and bluegrass music from Wild Carrot and the Roots, 12:30-1 p.m. and 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Susan Werner, the headliner at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Summer Arts Festival in Turner Pavilion, will make a special guest appearance at the Farmers’ Market. It’s not just a token appearance, but something near and dear to the country girl from Iowa.
In fact, her entire tour is dedicated to visiting farmers markets, supporting her new CD, “Hayseed.”
“I intend to find out what Springfield grows unusually well,” said Werner. “This is my favorite part of the entire campaign, to meet the growers and talk with them and buy produce and educate myself along with the audience.”
Werner is interested in everything from white carrots to Kohl Rabi, a sweet turnip, to garlic-based “ramps.” She said for farmers to be ready as she always invites one up for an interview during her appearance.
“It’s always my favorite part of the day because farmers are introverts. It’s the perfect job for somebody who doesn’t just love interacting with the public. Soybeans never talk back.”
Admission to the farmers market and entertainment are free.
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