Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market Vendors will set up at the County Fair Grounds this Thursday for the first ever Farmers Market @ the County Fair! by llc

This Thursday, August 4, 2011 the vendors at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market are packing their bags and heading down the road to the Douglas County Fairgrounds. For the first time in the history of the Douglas County Fair, fresh seasonal produce will be available for sale to interested fair-goers. All in all, there will be 27 local producers pitching tents on the grassy knoll between the two Harper Street entrances.

MAD Farm will be one of the participating Vendors at the Farmers Market @ the County Fair this Thursday, August 4, 2011. by llc

There will be informational booths, fun activities for the kids and plenty of good food to go around. Dorian’s Wheel, a traditional Irish band from Lawrence will entertain market goers with pounding pub tunes, jigs, reels, ethereal airs and ballads from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Dorian’s Wheel is comprised of Kelly Bohling, fiddle; Chirs Bohling, bodhran and vocals; and Leslie Jabara, hard, guitar, and vocals. Immediately following Dorian’s Wheel, the band Vegetable will take the stage. Vegetable is the product of a longtime friendship and collaboration of bassist Oliver Good and guitarist Travis Moore, both from Lawrence. The band draws its influence from a wide range of independent bands including the Kinks, David Bowie and Talking Heads. Vegetable likes to cover obscure songs from recognizable bands and mix some of their original avant garde music in along the way. In the spirit of Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, Moore and Good have prepared an especially organic acoustic selection to set the mood for market goers and vendors alike.

Oliver Good and Travis Moore will perform from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Farmers Market @ the Douglas County Fair this Thursdy by llc

Along with 27 local farmers and food vendors, the market will host a Chef’s Challenge from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Three local chefs, one each from Zen Zero, Pachamama’s and Free State Brewing Company, will be on hand to create delicious sample sized dishes from local produce purchased at the fair. A panel of celebrity judges, coupled with votes from market patrons, will decide which chef’s creations from market fare are the most delectable.

The Chef's Challenge during the Farmers Market @ the County Fair will produce delectible goodies for patrons to sample. by llc

The evening will culminate with a drawing for a free tumbling composter from Cottin’s Hardware & Rental. Registration to win the composter is limited to market patrons, but you do not have to be present to win.

Stop by the Farmers Market @ the County Fair and register to win a free tumbling composter from Cottin's Hardware & Rental by llc

The Douglas County Food Policy Council will be hosting a market produce check station inside building 21. Market goers can leave their produce purchases inside with council members and go off to enjoy the many activities the Douglas County Free Fair has to offer.

Mellowfields Urban Farm will be at the Farmers Market @ the County Fair on August 4, but their CSA pick up will still be at Cottin's Hardware & Rental, during the event. by llc

Although there will not be a farmers market in the back parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware and Rental this Thursday, August 4, the Ross Family Indian taco stand will still be at Cottin's Hardware & Rental serving up their sinfully delicious Indian tacos for lunch and dinner. The Ross Family was originally scheduled to participate in the Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market on August 4th, but since the market is moving to the county fair grounds, the Ross Family is not able to join them, for fear that their Indian tacos would take away business from the regular hot food vendors at the Douglas County Free Fair. To assure Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market patrons do not miss their bi-weekly chance to indulge in the Ross's fry bread and Indian tacos, the family has decided to set up at Cottin's Hardware & Rental for the afternoon. So be sure to stop in Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot to pick up an Indian taco on your way to or from the Douglas County Free Fair this Thursday!

The Ross Family will be selling Indian tacos in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental on Thursday, August 4, 2011 by llc

Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market will resume their regular weekly schedule next week, August 11, with 20 regular vendors, live music, Mr. Bacon BBQ and Free State beer. Meanwhile, celebrate the summer by heading down to the County Fair this Thursday from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and partake in the first ever – Farmers Market at the Douglas County Fair! You’ll be happy you did!