NEW CARLISLE — The Farmers Market has reduced its fees in hopes that more area vendors will share their harvest, hobbies and crafts during the weekly event.
The fee, which benefits the New Carlisle Bicentennial Committee, was reduced from $15 to $5, or 10 percent of their profits, said James Leighty, president of the bicentennial committee. The maximum fee would be $15.
Cost didn’t seem to be a problem last year, but when only a handful of vendors came out the first two weeks of this season, committee members decided to revisit the fee, which was based on the average cost of other markets in nearby cities.
“With the downturn in the economy — a lot has happened in the last six or seven months — we decided to make the change,” Leighty said.
The New Carlisle Bicentennial Committee will use the fees collected to help finance the city’s celebration of its 200th birthday in 2010.
The celebration will kick off with a ball drop on New Year’s Eve and continue with monthly events and other celebrations, Leighty said.
In the meantime, he’s hoping residents will celebrate the bounty of summer during the Saturday morning markets.
“It’s open to everybody, (whether it’s) produce or baked goods or crafts,” Leighty said. “All they have to do is show up.”
The New Carlisle Farmers Market is being held 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October. The market is on Washington Avenue between Main and Church streets.
