WALKER, W.Va. (WTAP) – Beginning with a grand opening on September 7, the Mountwood Market brings together local produce vendors, meat sellers, artisans, bakers and more in front of the Volcano Museum.
Market coordinator Jeromy Hauser said he and his wife, Rebecca Walter, wanted to start the market to give people in Walker and the surrounding area a way to get quality goods nearby.
“We really wanted a place where our community could come together so we could offer locally grown products, produce and create income for local residents doing crafts and things like that,” he said.
It is also a question of convenience, said Hauser.
“I felt like we really needed this here in this rural community,” he said. “It’s 45 minutes to the local grocery store and a lot of people live up here. And this is just a great gathering place so we can all get together on the weekends.”
Hauser said the current drought throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley presents some obstacles in putting together the market.
“The drought has been absolutely terrible,” Hauser said. “The only thing I see in large quantities anymore is peppers. But my tomatoes, everyone’s tomatoes, are just not good. Melons, nothing is growing like it should. And I know a lot of people are tightening their belts in terms of water use, just for the animals, you know. We’re in a bad drought, and it’s really hit us.”
Hauser said he hopes to open the market earlier next year to avoid these problems. And despite the drought, he is still excited and optimistic about this year’s market.
“We’re going to have a great market,” he said. “And I really want to make it a fun place that you can come with your family. You don’t even have to buy anything. Come and join in. Stop by and say hello. We’re going to have rabbits down here. You can pet some and take pictures with them. I just want to do something fun for the community.”
For his part, Wood County Parks Director Jeremy Cross said that including the market in Mountwood Park’s fall program is a great way to attract more people to the park.”
“We want to offer people in the area a lot of different activities, so this farmers market just gives people another opportunity to come to Mountwood Park and enjoy everything we have,” Cross said.
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