From the press release:
The City of Urbana’s Market at the Square is pleased to announce that its 2013 season will get underway Saturday, May 4, at 7 a.m. The Market, which is located at the corner of Illinois and Vine Streets in downtown Urbana, will be open 7 a.m.–noon every Saturday through November 2.
The Market has been a mainstay of Urbana’s Saturday morning activities since the late 1970s, and is home to over 150 vendors, all of whom grow or create their own fresh produce, plants, and flowers; farm products such as meat, cheeses, eggs, honey, and fresh baked goods and other prepared foods are also available. There is also a wide variety of art & crafts for sale. Performances also take place within the Market.
Patrons will notice a few changes at the Market this season, including an interactive Market map and a product search function. Both of these new features, accessible to anyone from the Market’s website, will help inform patrons and Market friends about what vendors will be in attendance at which Markets, what they are selling, product information, and how to contact vendors and community groups. Additionally, the Market will now offer weekly email updates titled Market Mail. These email updates will inform subscribers about what to expect at the Market each week, what is new, any programming that will take place, and more. As always, there will be several new food vendors, including those offering fresh, Illinois-grown produce, and homemade foods and home-baked goods.
“This is going to be a great season for Urbana’s Market at the Square,” commented incoming Market Director, Natalie Kenny Marquez. “I’m excited that the Market map will be accessible online this year. I believe it will enhance our capabilities of connecting local farmers and producers to customers and the community. I also like the idea of being able to search for products and learn when they will be available, which is great for menu planning and trying new foods.”
Additionally, the Market’s children’s programming (Sprouts at the Market) and programming by the Urbana Arts Program (Art at the Market) will be offered each month during the season. Regular visits by the Urbana Business Association, Urbana Free Library, Community Blood Services of Illinois, and U-Cycle also are planned. For further programming information, please visit our website.
For more information, email Natalie Kenny Marquez, Director of Urbana’s Market at the Square, or call 217/384-2319.
