The Hespeler Village Market is ready to make a comeback this summer after two long years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting June 3, the market will open every Friday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and will run until September 30.
And this year, organizers say the market is bigger and better than ever.
“We are so excited and looking forward to this summer. We encourage everyone to come out,” said Gord Whitney, president of the Hespeler Village Market Board.
The market is located downtown Hespeler, on the site of the old town hall on Queen Street.
Whitney says this year will be even better because the street will be closed to traffic in Hespeler in the afternoon on Fridays.
“With the street shut down this year, there will be more of an ‘event’ feel with a focus on local food and local artisans,” Whitney said.
The Hespeler Village Market began in 2016 and focuses on building community connections and supporting local businesses. The market offers a diverse mix of local food producers, artisan craft vendors, and information booths for charities, not-for-profit organizations, and community groups.
Whitney says the goal is to bring the entire community together to the Friday night market.
“Hespeler really has that sense of community. I was raised in Hespeler. I moved away in my early twenties and swore I would never come back. Fifteen years ago, I came back with my wife and kids. And I’m so happy to be here,” Whitney said.
Whitney has been involved with the market since it started.
“It’s been a great ride. It’s been slow measured progress with each year. Today, there are more vendors, more customers, and great feed back,” he said.
The market began with 10 vendors and this year, there will be over 23, a number that varies slightly from week to week.
Whitney says the market goes way beyond Hespeler.
“We are part of Waterloo Region, Farmer’s Market Ontario, and Foodland Ontario. We are part of the local food industry and there are so many local artisans as well,” Whitney said.
“Our primary driver for bringing people to the market is the food. There’s fresh produce, farmed goods, as well as packaged foods too,” Whitney said.
“It’s about community. We work together with the City of Cambridge. The city provides substantial operating grants.”
The Hespeler Village Farmers Market is made up a group of dedicated community volunteers.
“We welcome all volunteers. Now with our Board of Directors, we have volunteers who work with us and those who volunteer the day of the market. Some are high school students who are wanting to complete their community service hours,” Whitney said.
Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to apply.
Whitney remembers making the initial decision to hold the market on Friday nights.
“We thought, well ,we are in little Hespeler and we can’t possibly compete with the Saturday markets in Cambridge So, we thought, why not Friday afternoon/evenings to tie in with the dinner crowd. Come to the market and have dinner. It’s great way to start the weekend. If you are on the way to the cottage, you can stop and grab your fruit and vegetables,” Whitney said.
“Since then, we have really expanded.”
Whitney says the market also works closely with downtown restaurants who often come out and showcase their food,” Whitney said.
“There’s a gazebo there too where we offer a BBQ from either a charity or local community group. We are in the process of setting that up and hopefully have some good food to eat on premise every week.”
Along with entertainment, the market, in partnership with the Idea Exchange, offers activities for children.
“And we’ve always offered wine, but this year, we are allowed to offer beer and spirits and we will highlight a local brewery each week,” Whitney said.
“The comradery is there with business, government, and community. With the history, the growth and the number of people involved in making the market happen, it’s worth the visit.”
For more information about the Hespeler Village market, visit here.
