Farmers market plans Octoberfest celebration

The market will reopen indoors on Nov. 7. 

By CHELSEY POLLOCK
Union Leader Correspondent
DERRY — Derry Farmers Market vendors will cap off a successful first season Wednesday with Octoberfest-themed festivities.
“It’s become like a family working together,” said market director Beverly Ferrante of the market’s numerous local vendors and organizers.
“I have to thank them because it’s been so memorable,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but this has been such a positive piece that has taken place in my life.”
And Ferrante said Wednesday’s Octoberfest — which runs from 3 to 7 p.m. in downtown Derry — is a way to say thanks to those who have turned out for the market each week since July.
J&F Farms of Derry will supply a free corn roast for those attending the final summer market, Ferrante said, with further food and gifts offered by other participating vendors.
But after this week’s wrapup, market-goers will only have to wait a few short weeks before the Derry Farmers Market moves indoors to Veterans Memorial Hall on Nov. 7.
The winter market will run from noon to 4 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of the month through March.
“We will still be carrying about all the vegetables you can purchase in the summer because some of my new vendors actually have greenhouses,” Ferrante said. “With your beets, radishes, lettuce and tomatoes, we are going to have quite a cornucopia of vegetables available.”
But Ferrante said there will also be homemade soups, breads, candies, meats and cheeses, among other local offerings.Ferrante said she has squared away 17 vendors for the winter market so far, with several returning vendors asking to double their space.
And for an initiative that came together quickly leading up to this summer’s kick-off, Derry Parks and Recreation Director Eric Bodenrader said he’s pleased with the popularity of the event.
“Watching something start with a grassroots initiative and build into a thriving marketplace has just been an awesome experience for me,” Bodenrader said. “It went exceptionally well, and it’s a really positive thing for the town of Derry. Beverly Ferrante has really outdone herself here.”
And Ferrante said she’s already looking ahead to booking market vendors for next summer and beyond.
“After a full two years of a farmers market, then it really starts to flow to where I will start having people calling me,” she said. “And that’s already happening now.”