Spring Into Action

You know that snow we all saw this morning? Forget about it. Urbana's Market season, whether Mother Nature wants it to come or not, is less than four weeks away.

Application materials have been out to vendors, community groups, and performers for almost a couple of weeks now, and the deluge of people wanting to participate at the Market has begun.

Interested in participating at the market as a vendor, community group, or performer? Please go here and click on the appropriate application materials for PDF download.

Also, our first vendor meeting of the season will be happening Monday, April 13, at 5:30 PM at the Urbana Civic Center. We'll do a wrapup of the 2008 season, talk about some of the programs and other events happening at the Market in 2009, and catch up. If you're interested in becoming a vendor, this would be a great meeting to attend.

In other Market news:

- Last month, Market at the Square was selected by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to receive a $7,500 grant to be used for advertising Sprouts at the Market on local and regional television.

- Never wonder where to park your bike at the Market again! The City of Urbana is creating 40 new bike parking spaces on the green space between Walnut Street (just west of the Market lot) and the parking lot just west of Walnut. They should be installed and ready for use by the end of May.

- We're looking for a few good men and women. If you're 18 or over, interested in seasonal, very part-time employment, enjoy farmers' markets or public markets, don't mind working out in the elements and can get up early, there just might be a job for you.

- The Market will be appearing at ASAP's Food Film Fest on April 15. The event is free and open to the public, and they'll be showing some great films - Eat Drink Man Woman, King Corn, and The Real Dirt on Farmer John are all on the roster.

Have to get back to planning and plotting! Stay tuned for further updates.