Ready to taste that first mouth-watering tomato freshly picked from the vine? Or those early sweet peas, squash and green beans? Then the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market will be the place to be, starting on Friday, June 3. The kickoff will happen at the June Jaunt events at Jack Kilby Square. After that, it will continue on Thursday evenings in conjunction with the Great Bend City Band Summer Concert series.
Market hours are 5-8 p.m. in the courthouse square.
Great Bend City Band concerts in June are at 8:15 p.m. Thursdays in the courthouse square band shell. Concerts move to the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave., in July or any date where there is inclement weather.
Market organizers are currently seeking a wide variety of vendors to participate in the Summer Street Stroll, said Great Bend’s Community Coordinator Christina Hayes.
The focus is locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, garden products and baked goods, locally produced crafts, handmade items, and area artists’ creations from ceramics to paintings and other arts.
“This will give working individuals the opportunity to get fresh produce, shop local retailers, and catch community events,” Hayes said. Opening night for the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market coincides with the June Jaunt Car Show, free wine tastings, a free movie in the park, and much more. The 2016 K-96 June Jaunt is three days of events in eight communities: Tribune, Leoti, Scott City, Dighton, Ness City, Rush Center, Great Bend and Ellinwood.
“This opportunity to increase farmers market days also means giving people more access to healthy foods, which is part of the Health Department’s Chronic Disease Risk Reduction program work,” said Janel Rose with the Barton County Health Department. “We invite local vendors to contact us about participating at the June Jaunt events and the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market.” There will be no charge for participating vendors for the Farmers Market but everyone will need to register to receive an assigned and approved vendor space.

For more information
Contact Christina Hayes for vendor information, 620-793-4111 or email chayes@greatbendks.net). Contact Janel Rose for registration and application for the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market, 620-793-1902 or email health@bartoncounty.org. See June Jaunt events for all eight participating communities online at k96junejaunt.com.

Another market
Food venders can also be found in the farmers market in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot at 1409 Williams St. It is open from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.