After a long winter indoors, the Barrie Farmers' Market hit the jackpot weather-wise Saturday for its first outdoor market of the season.
The year-round market, which runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 70 Collier St. — it’s located inside the Barrie City Hall Rotunda between November and April and outside from April through the end of October — includes a variety of vendors, live music, kids activities, fresh food, and a variety local community services organizations.
Although Sarah Brown has been participating in other markets around the region for the past decade, Saturday was her first day as a vendor at the Barrie market. The Orillia resident, who owns and operates ThreeSevenThree — she sells hand-made crocheted items including hats, slippers, blankets and stuffies — was impressed with how busy the day had been.
“It’s been great. I love seeing all the traffic. I love seeing all the kids and everybody coming out and supporting local,” she said.
Kerry and Matt Weatherbie were enjoying the shade from their tent as they ran their booth selling freeze-dried confections and candy.
“Most of it is gourmet salt-water taffy, traditional Skittles and gummies that we freeze dry,” said Kerry, adding next week they will be introducing their new line of artisan freeze-dried dog treats.
The Midhurst couple started their business, Weatherbie Woods Homestead, about six months ago as a hobby and as a hands-on way for their teenage kids to learn about business.
The unexpected sunny and hot weather, the couple said, was welcome.
“It’s been busy and it’s great weather, so it’s brought a lot of people out,” said Kerry.
Barrie resident Felicity Wilkin, whose booth for her Bakehouse Gourmet Baked Goods was set up under the green awning along Mulcaster Street, was nearly sold out of her homemade treats by 11 a.m.
She started at the local market in November when it moved inside for the winter. She was happy to be outside Saturday.
“It has been very successful. It’s been a good day,” she said. “Everyone has been really friendly and really nice. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was calling for rain and it changed … It was on our side and we got sunny weather.”
