The Arlington Farm and Art Market is a prime example of good things found in small doses. It’s not a bustling marketplace and doesn’t offer all the options a bigger venue might, but it is all about quality.
“The vendors, market team, and customers create a welcoming place that shows the best aspects of small-town Kansas: friendly conversation, home-made and home-grown nourishment, a sharing of skills and challenges, and healthy community interactions,” said Kelsi Depew, market manager.
Depew helped start the market in 2014, after moving to Arlington the year before and being keenly aware of the need for local food sources. With the help of librarian Ginger Stiggins and the Friends of the Library, they got the ball rolling.
“So in just a couple weeks, I found people that grew things and made things and baked things and invited them to come try out our new market. We had story time and a book sale for the library and we somehow made it through a whole season. And we just haven’t quit yet, so next year, we will celebrate 10 years.”
Vendor fees go directly to support the Arlington City Library, as does the money from the monthly meal served at the market.
On the last Thursday of every month, several community ladies prepare pork burgers and sell them accompanied with seasonal toppings, chips, homemade dessert, and water, all for $5. Usually, a local band comes on these evenings as well and provides live music to round out the ambiance and party atmosphere of the evening.
In the beginning, the market used to be held in the mornings, but found the evening time slot seemed to bring people together better. In fact, “some people come just to visit,” said Betty Murphy, a supporter of and contributor to the market since it started.
Her lawn chair was set up on the grass for the evening, next to Betsy Trembly and her basket of caramel corn for sale.
“It is actually the best caramel corn you can find anywhere,” said Depew. “I’m not even exaggerating. Everyone that has tried it agrees.”
Trembly uses her Aunt Marge’s recipe, and while she doesn’t know why she started making caramel corn for the market since she never makes it at home, it’s clearly a popular item and sells out quickly.
David Miller, who grew up helping on his family’s produce farm and now has his own family Prairie Town Produce, said his most popular seller at the Arlington market is red slicing tomatoes, although his carrots, cucumbers and honey are all very tempting as well.
Three-year-old Gentry Serviss and his brother Miles, who is almost 2, however, had eyes only for the picnic table lined with gorgeous watermelons.
Another table is lined with bouquets, brought by Tina’s Blooms. Tina, the daughter and sister who loved flowers, died in service in Iraq in 2018 and the family started this business as her legacy.
They replaced their vegetable garden with more than 50 types of flowers last year, starting a lot in their basement in January and later planting more than 800 tulip bulbs. The resulting flower arrangements are nothing short of beautiful.These vendors are some of the consistent participants, “but it’s always a surprise on what else will be there,” said Depew.
“My absolute favorite part of the market is the community built there. People that lived in town for years would meet each other and make friends at the market,” she said. “For favorite finds, I definitely recommend the caramel corn, honey roasted almonds, all the fresh produce, and any jar of food you find. Ok, I just like everything.”
Find out for yourself at the Arlington Farm and Art Market from 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through September at 304 W. Main in Arlington.
As reported in The Hutchinson News.
