With summer in full swing, so are our beloved community events, and Kent Station is excited to introduce a new one to the area this year! In partnership with the City of Kent and with Patty Villa, a professional market organizer, Kent Station will be hosting Kent Market– a night farmers market on Wednesday evenings from July 14 through August 25. The market will last from 4 to 8:30pm, with plenty of time to shop and visit before catching the sunset with friends after stands close down. The market vendors will line the main street through the downtown Kent shopping center.
“I am so excited about all of the things this market represents– partnership, food access, and community,” Kent Mayor Dana Ralph says. “As we come out of the pandemic, it is important to find ways to get together again. The market will provide a gathering space, an opportunity for farmers to bring healthy food to market, and a fun, family evening at Kent Station.”
Patty Villa has organized farmers markets for 9 years and immediately got to work getting permits and signing up vendors. “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to help develop a market for this location,” Villa says. “It will bring local people together with local producers in an informal, family friendly environment. The support shown so far from Kent Station, the City of Kent, and others has been terrific. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide a market experience that pleases the community and that they will come out to support the local small businesses that participate.” If you are a vendor or a sponsor interested in being part of the Kent Market, you are welcome to contact Patty via email at kentstationmarket@gmail.com.
“Downtown Kent is the place to be on Wednesday evenings this summer!” says Cynthia Boyd, Kent Station marketing manager. “We are beyond thrilled to be able to bring back our summer concerts after having to cancel them in 2020. The community can come out to enjoy free live music, peruse the market vendors and support Kent Station businesses. Partnering with the City of Kent and Patty Villa means that this market is set to be a huge success!”
Visit www.kentstation.com/kent-market for more details, including some exciting plans regarding including local non-profits in the market, and check back often as updates are added.