First of seven farmer's markets held in Malta

The first of six farmers markets this summer in Malta was held last Tuesday and though Little League Baseball helped swell the parking lots at Trafton Park, the turnout for the first event - both shoppers and vendors - exceeded event organizer's expectations.

"This is great, the turnout seems better than I expected," Ann Sautter, Executive Director of the Malta Chamber of Commerce said at the outset of the event. The market got underway at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and ran until 8 p.m. It included several local jewelry makers, a produce booth, coffee and pizza out of a wood-fired oven courtesy of Alesha Ereaux and her A.E. Catering Truck (Ereaux, along with Sautter and former Chamber Exec Dina Sainato-Meneely spearheaded the creation of the event.)

"We have 10 vendors total," Sautter reported. "We didn't know what to expect, but this is the perfect number of vendors for the kick-off event. We have had people here since 4 p.m. ready to shop."

April Peigneux, owner, and proprietor of Sweet Briar Creations said her jewelry booth went up smoothly and she was happy to have the opportunity to set up at the first farmers market.

"I have felt like Malta has always needed a farmer's market," she said. "Depending on our schedules, I hope either me or my mom will be down here for all of them this summer."

Sherry Demarais was on-hand at Trafton Park on Tuesday night with her Double D Kustom Kreations merchandise.

"I think this is an awesome and unique thing for the people of Phillips County," she said. "I will be down here as often as I can. It is a great turnout and the weather is wonderful."

Shawn Starkey - with her Ma's Jewelry booth - said she felt having a farmers market in Malta is a great adventure for salespeople and shoppers alike.

"It brings a lot of people to town and I just think it is great," she said.

Malta's Carol Smith was one of the many shoppers Starkey referenced and spoke to the PCN after buying framed puzzles from Linda Zirkle's booth.

"This is very nice and the set up is very nice," she said.

Smith bought two pieces of art from Zirkle - one the Eiffel Tower, the other the Taj Mahal, both places she has visited in person - and said she had no idea what type of items would be for sale during the event.

"This is just a fun thing to do and I encourage everyone to come down to the future events," she concluded.

The Farmers Markets in Malta is held on Tuesday night from 6 to 8 p.m. and the next two events will be held on July 10 and 24. For more information about the events or to become a vendor, call Sautter at 654- 7239, Ereaux at 654-7642 and vendor packets are available at the Malta Chamber Office.