WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Summer got a delicious start Thursday morning in Luzerne County with the opening of the Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market on Public Square.
The popular downtown gathering features locally grown food items, including meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, jam, jelly, cider, and more.
Food trucks and prepared food vendors also line the square, along with other vendors and local nonprofits.
"You get to know a lot of people here over the years, and you see the same faces," said Ray Zimmerman from Zimmerman Farms.
The heat wave is another telltale sign that summer is officially here, but that wasn't stopping people from getting a taste of tradition. Even the youngest shoppers came in with a game plan.
"Apple cider donuts and all the food trucks, which is really cool. The honey is nice, and everything is really cool!" Gabe Williams said.
"There were a couple more stands than last year like the granola one right here. And the mushrooms, too," Gordy Williams added.
Ben Pypiak of Berwick is that mushroom guy. It's his first year bringing the fungi to the farmers market.
"I'm just a woods guy. I like catching the frogs in the pond and going out and just being curious about everything growing in the land," he said.
He's one of the more unique stands this year, something different than traditional peppers and peaches.
"It's always like, 'Oh, wow! Yeah, mushrooms!'" Pypiak laughed.
The pick of the produce comes from a good growing season, one that started well before this heat wave.
"Actually, the growing season hasn't been too bad. We could use a little more rain, but it's in the forecast," Zimmerman said.
But no matter the weather, customers are happy to be buying local
"I really love farm to the fork," Candance Lakanen said. "Makes a difference."
The Farmers Market will continue every Thursday through November 14 (excluding July 4) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The following performers will provide live music through the summer:
- June 20—Eric Rudy
- June 27—Don Shappelle
- July 11—Ben Yates
- July 18—Leighann & Andy
- July 25—Broken Road Duo
- August 1—Toasted
- August 8—Billie Fink & Georgetown Outlaws
- August 15—Tori V
- August 22—Steve Gryb
- August 29—The Music Room
- September 5—John Stevens
- September 12—Son De Tres Trio
- September 19—Dustin Douglas
- September 26—Stanky & the Coalminers