The Independence Farmers Market features several special events on Fridays in July. Plan to attend Wellness Day, the Berry Festival and the HWY 21-yard sale. All events are free and open to the public and occur during the entire Market from 9am to 1pm at our temporary location on Courthouse Street, the Gate Center parking lot, and occasionally on the lawn of the 1908 Courthouse.
Wellness Day is Friday July 8. Area health professionals join the regular Market and offer free screenings and information.
VDH will offer free Covid vaccines. Twin County Community Hospital will have information and giveaways, learn about WIC farmers market coupons from the Mt Rogers Health district. Care Advantage, Mt Rogers Health and Wellness, and Senior Homeshare will also join us.
Andrea Wann is back on July 15 with Healthy Kids Bucks sponsored by Molina Healthcare. The first 25 kids to the Market will receive $10 of Healthy Kids Bucks to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables and eggs.
The 9th Annual Berry Festival is July 22. The Berry Festival features a berry pie contest and a berry sorbet fundraiser for the Market. River Ridge Organics is co-sponsor of the Berry Festival. They are a USDA certified berry farm near Mouth of Wilson. River Ridge donates the berries for the Sorbet fundraiser. You can find their berries on our On-line Farmers Market. This year, sorbet will be available by the bowl or frozen pint. The public is invited to enter the Berry Pie contest sponsored by Heartmoss Pottery located in Elk Creek. Pies are limited to crust, and simple berry filling. The winning entry will receive $100, second place $30 and $20 for third place. Please bring your pies to the Market by 10:00. Judging will begin at 10:30 am. Remaining pies will be sold by the slice to benefit the Market.
July ends with Take a Break from the Interstate Highway 21-yard sale on the 29th. Vendors will be offering yard sale items in addition to fresh local food and artisan crafts.