Get ready for St. Andrews United Methodist Church’s first First Friday Market on Friday, June 2, from 3 to 7 p.m.
The market will be held in the church parking lot (near Ponzio’s) and will feature live music and about 20 vendors. It will continue on the first Friday of the month from June through October with the same hours.
“The premise of this event is multi-faceted,” explained Barbara Hansen, president of the church board of trustees and market organizer. “To share our community involvement, to use our amazing location to help promote small businesses, to raise money to help support the many missions of the church and to have some good old fashioned fun.”
Unlike a traditional farmer’s market, Hansen said the first Friday event is unique, without duplication of items for sale. It will feature five to eight food trucks, baked goods, produce, fresh fruit, beverages and crafts.
“This is a great opportunity for folks coming home from work or heading to the shore to stop by and pick up dinner,” Hansen suggested. “There will be a great variety – something for everyone.”
The market will include Kona Water Ice, gluten-free foods from Epicure and a backyard farm with an assortment of goods. Little Hands Little Feet, a program started by the church to provide clothes to children in need, will also be in attendance.
“We provide a large bag containing five changes of clothing, new underwear and socks, seasonal appropriate clothes like coats, hats and gloves, plus a stuffed animal and a book,” Hansen said of the program, which regularly provides bundles for about 1,500 children per year with stuffed animals provided by PetSmart and socks by Boma. Kohl’s department stores provide help through their care programs.
In a fortuitous turn of events, Hansen met a woman during her search for vendors directly impacted by the Little Hands Little Feet program and the Cherry Hill food pantry, which the church helped found. She will pay it forward by bringing two food trucks to the market and will be the guest speaker for the church’s 15th annual golf classic on Monday, Sept. 18, at the Indian Spring Country Club.
To participate in any or all of First Friday Market events, email Hensen at Barbara.Hansen3428@gmail.com.
