Saturday Market to start its summer run in Havre

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson, file photo

Susan Anderson, left, and Will Anderson, center, of Rudyard help a customer at their Anderson Orchards stand during Saturday Market at Town Square in August.

With summer coming to town, local residents again have the opportunity to spend a morning shopping — or selling — locally raised or produced items in Havre's Town Square.

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce's Saturday Market will have its first day of operation in 2011 — its 10th anniversary —running from 8 a. m. to noon this weekend.

Debbie Vandeberg, the Chamber's executive director, said the local farmer's market continues to grow.

"Last year we had, on average, 32 vendors, " she said, adding, "One weekend we had 38. "

The market will run each Saturday through Sept. 17, the weekend of Havre Festival Days.

Vandeberg said merchants at the event bring a variety of merchandise, including local farm and garden produce, craft items, flowers and home-baked items such as bread and pies.

The market allows local folks to support friends and neighbors as artisans and producers, she said.

"The ability to highlight the flavor and character of the local community is one of the great pluses of farmer's markets, " she added.

It has other benefits beyond offering local items for sale, Vandeberg said.

"It is a gathering place for all ages to mingle, for neighbors to get to know one another, for vendors and customers to network and a setting for education, " she said.

New vendors who would like to participate are asked to stop by the Chamber office at 130 5th Ave. to be assigned a space.