By BILL THOMPSON
Staff writer

The Columbus County Community Farmers Market will have its official opening of the 2008 season on May 10.

The market, located near the county office complex in North Whiteville, will have a flag raising ceremony conducted by Cub Scout Troop 512’s Den 8 to mark the beginning of this year’s sales. The ceremony will be a 9 a.m. although the market items will be available for sale at 7 a.m. as they will for the rest of the season.

The Edgewood Elementary School Chorus will also perform as part of the opening day activities. The group, under the direction of Gus Cothern, will sing selected music at 10 a.m..

Home-made ice cream will be available throughout the day or until the supply runs out.

Harold Schuman, vice president of Columbus County Community Farmers Market, encouraged everyone to come and be a part of the occasion. “We have a great place to sell. It is out of the weather. This year we will be placing a windbreaker on the end of the building which will help a lot.

“We have been very successful over the past few years,” he added. “The number of vendors has grown. We’ve got a great facility and when the new road is completed we expect the easier access to bring even more folks, particularly those going to the beach, to the market.”

At least eight vendors have already signed up for this year. They will be selling a wide variety of produce including garden peas, Iris potatoes, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and the popular yellow Irish onions. “Those onions are just like Vidalias. They just don’t come from Vidalia,” said Schuman. Of course, other produce will be available as it comes in season.

Almost all of the produce for sale at the market is locally grown. Schuman pointed out that, since the market is a non-profit organization, there is no tax charged for the items sold. “And, since it is locally grown, you know it is fresh,” he added.
In addition to the produce some homemade craft items will be available as well. During the Christmas season a special crafts day will be set aside.

Any one who may have some excess garden production is urged to sell the items at the market. There is a fee of five dollars per day or seventy-five dollars a year for a vendor space.