Join us for a celebration of our local food and farms at our first Farmers Market at the Fair! Nearly 30 local farm and food vendors will offer fresh, locally grown goods for purchase at the market, on Thursday, August 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (2110 Harper St., Lawrence).

Farmers Market at the Douglas County Fair by JulieMett

The Market will include a fun evening of activities including two musical groups -- Dorian’s Wheel and Vegetable -- beginning at 4 p.m., along with children’s activities, a drawing for a free compost tumbler provided by Cottin’s Hardware, and a Chef’s Challenge.

The Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market will move its market to the County Fairgrounds for the night, with vendors selling a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, homemade goods and more. The Douglas County Food Policy Council will provide a “produce check” service indoors in building 21 for patrons to protect their produce from wilting while they enjoy the rest of the fair.

For the Chef’s Challenge, chefs Rick Martin of Free State Brewing Co., Ken Baker of Pachamama’s, and Subarna Buttachan of Zen Zero will each be provided with a budget for shopping at the vendor booths, with shopping to begin at 5:45. Cooking will begin at 6, with sampler plates offered to a panel of judges and the audience beginning at 7 p.m. Final judging -- including an audience participation score -- and a drawing for compost tumbler will wrap up the evening by 8 p.m.

The Farmers Market at the Fair is a joint project of a broad coalition of organizations who seek to support our local growers and businesses. Sponsoring organizations include: Our Local Food – Kaw River Valley, Douglas County Food Policy Council, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Subcommittee, Douglas County Farm Bureau, LiveWell Lawrence, the Douglas County Pork Producers, and Cottin’s Hardware.

Additional support is provided by: The Merc, Checkers, Anderson Rentals, SB Photography, and Shiney Independent Designs, as well as local restaurants Free State Brewing Co., Pachamama’s and Zen Zero. The Merc, Free State Brewing Co. and Pachamama's, as well as Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market and a number of the market vendors, are members of Our Local Food – Kaw River Valley.

Kansas, and Douglas County in particular, has a rich agricultural history. The County Fair provides a great opportunity to celebrate all types of agriculture – from livestock, to crops, to fruits and vegetable production. We hope the Farmers Market at the Fair will highlight farmers markets as a wonderful place to shop for local foods and meet the neighbors that grow your food!