As fall sets in, Elmwood Park’s annual outdoor market is preparing to wrap up for the year.
The village’s farmers market, now known as Central Park Market for its location at 75th and Fullerton avenues, will come to an end on Oct. 25.
The event started in June, setting up in the park on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. The market offers residents and visitors with a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for purchase, along with other amenities.
Elmwood Park Village Manager Paul Volpe said since the farmers market started four years ago, turnout has been pretty good.
“We always have a steady stream of people coming through,” he said. “In addition, we’ve had some pretty good vendors coming through.”
Along with fresh fruits and produce, this year the market has offered cigars hand-rolled on site, fresh cheese, bloody marys, acoustic live music, and activities for children.
At this month’s final farmer’s market, a knife-sharpening specialist will be on hand.
Elmwood Park Trustee Angela Stranges, who chairs the village’s Arts and Special Events Committee, said the committee coordinated events to coincide with Central Park Market. One of those is Kids Day, which will be held at the market Oct. 25, featuring a bounce house and other activities.
“It promotes a time where parents can come out and shop while the kids have something to do,” she said.
She said this summer’s farmers market has been well-received by residents. She said she attended a lot of them herself.
“I think that local Elmwood Park residents really enjoy it,” she said. “A lot of people come to enjoy the camaraderie. Whenever I go, I see people there.”
Volpe hopes to bring more variety to the Central Park Market and make it even bigger in the future.
“Persistence is the key and time is the key,” he said. “The key to building them up is by hanging in there and being patient.”
He noted that Oak Park’s farmers market started out with three vendors before growing to have the dozens of sellers it offers today. Elmwood Park’s market doesn’t have as many vendors, but Volpe says he has not heard any complaints on what the village has had to offer at their farmers market this year.
“Generally speaking, I think people were pleased with it,” Volpe said.
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