Turlock’s two farmers markets will open Saturday morning
Turlock’s farmers market rhubarb moves from City Hall to the open market Saturday, giving customers a way to weigh in by going to one or both grand openings between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Both markets will have a family-friendly mix of produce and nonfood booths to offer fans of locally produced goods.
The longtime downtown nonprofit operation, Turlock Certified Farmers Market, is moving to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, where the majority of its vendors will reappear in the ag pavilions at the west end of the grounds.
“Just about everyone came with us,” said board member Elizabeth Claes on Wednesday. The Turlock Story Tent, face painting and Mr. E the Balloon Guy will return. A live band, Tony and the Tough Times, will provide ambiance and KCSS (91.9 FM), the radio station at California State University, Stanislaus, will have a live broadcast.
“There’s a beauty about this, and I think this is going to be good,” Claes said. “It’s the start of a new era.”
The market will run every Saturday through Oct. 29, except for when the Stanislaus County Fair is in town, July 9 and 16.
Newcomer Turlock Downtown Farmers’ Market – a for-profit venture – will take over the East Main Street venue between Palm and Center streets. Reached by phone Wednesday, owner Peter Cipponeri said his market will include a diverse array of produce and cuisine.
Expect to see strawberries, peaches, cherries, apricots, oranges, and grapes on hand. Beyond iceberg lettuce, he added via email, “Make a farm fresh salad with Romaine lettuce, fresh spinach, and kale, or be bold and explore possibilities with raw beets.”
Cannoli Corleone, Elvia’s Taqueria, M&S Portuguese Bakery, and Sunrise Bakery will bring the flavors of Mexican, Italian, Portuguese, and Assyrian specialties, he listed. Linguica Corndogs, aromatic olive oils, and locally produced honey will also be for sale.
Family-friendly live entertainment will kick off with “Nova,” a Bay Area Top 40 cover band. “A mesmerizing magic show, a well-known face painter, and a shiny red fire truck for kids will also be available on opening day,” Cipponeri wrote.
The markets battle embroiled the Turlock City Council in controversy, primarily over its turning what had been essentially a handshake agreement into a formal bid process. The contest over Main Street pitted the nonprofit which is run by longtime Turlock civic leaders, against the for-profit run by Cipponeri Farms family members Peter and Maia Cipponeri.
Cipponeri also runs markets in Hughson and Carmel.
Peter Cipponeri forced the issue by filing for a 2016 permit to hold his market at the same time and place as the nonprofit expected to hold its market. To choose between competing requests, the council asked for bid proposals. Packed meetings before angry crowds ensued for months, ending March 22 when the nonprofits pulled out and the council awarded the permit to Cipponeri.
The next day, Turlock Certified Farmers Market announced it would move to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds at Fulkerth Road and Soderquist Avenue.
Nan Austin: 209-578-2339, @NanAustin
If you go
Turlock’s two farmers markets will hold simultaneous season-opening days from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Entry and parking is free for both.
East Main Street: The market location shoppers flocked to last year will return, but with mostly new vendors. It will have produce and a variety of food booths, a band, a magic show, face painting and a fire truck. Parking is available on the street and in a public lot on South Thor Street.
The fairgrounds: Many of the vendors of last year are moving to the new location, which will also have the story tent, balloon guy, face painting, a band and a live radio broadcast. Enter from the Hilmar Cheese gate on Soderquist Road. Parking is in the west lot, across from the gate.
This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Turlock’s two farmers markets will open Saturday morning."