First Market - May 17

What a blast we all had at our opening market on May 17! This was actually a record-breaking market! The only way we have of ‘measuring’ the market is by collecting the vendors’ ‘gross receipts’ (how much they have at the end of the market that they didn’t have at the beginning.)
This market’s gross vendor receipts were more than twice that of opening day 2018 and reached a point that in past years (since 2012) has not been seen until mid-June, when the strawberries arrive!      

We had SIXTEEN vendors, SIX of whom had not vended at Chelsea before; Tamias Wildcrafting, Le Fusion Botanicals, Green Mountain Kana, Truckenbrod Bread and Cereals, Littlewood Farm, and Red Shed Rustic.

Two former favorites who had not vended at Chelsea for a few years returned to CFM; Donna Harley’s Baskets and Crossmolina Farm – good to see you!

Old friends from the 2018 season (and many from long before) were also welcomed back to the fold; Diversity Farm, Lisa’s Lathers/ Sweet Doe Gelato, The Old Farmhouse (aka Phyllis’s amazing donuts!), Patrick’s Poultry, Living Waters UPC (renamed Pies and Dolls! – LOVE it guys!), Randi’s Baked Goods, VT Beekeeping Supply, and the Whitney Family Farm (Maple products).

Check our vendor page  for more information.

The weather, which had not been very kind all month, to put it mildly, pulled out all the stops and bathed us in spring sunshine, warm temps, and NO RAIN. As if this were not enough, our opening band of the season, Chelsea’s own Burds Brothers (who were hired unheard and unseen) proved to be the most amazing discovery!

The teenage duo, actual brothers Mark (19) and Peter (16), played traditional bluegrass and, as one marketgoer commented, “they didn’t learn to play in high school!” Amazingly accomplished, they must have been playing since they were able to walk! We promptly upped the fee we had offered and hired them for 2 more markets! More on these guys as the season progresses.

So, LETS DO IT AGAIN, CHELSEA! Chelsea Public School will be joining us this week, raising funds for the kids to visit Germany next spring. Music will be “back by popular request” - Royalton Radio DJ, Todd Tyson. We believe in keeping it local here at CFM! 

Let’s see all your lovely faces down on the North Common this FRIDAY, May 24, to support our vendors and start off the Memorial Day Weekend!