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Ferry farmers’ market begins Friday

MARTINS FERRY resident Dale Travis, left, gets his rib order from J. Jay Hall of Baby-Boyz BBQ of Toronto on Monday beside the farmers’ market lot on Hanover Street. The first market is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. T-L Photo/ SHELLEY HANSON

MARTINS FERRY — The Purple City’s first farmers’ market is set to get underway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Hanover and Fifth streets, featuring produce from farmers and other locally produced items.

The market originally was going to occur on Saturdays, but after receiving calls from farmers saying they already were participating in 11 other markets across the Ohio Valley that day of the week, the dates were changed to Fridays, said Chris Cleary, city service director and member of Project Forward, the group that organized the endeavor.

The market will take place on an empty lot on Hanover Street where the former Dutch Henry bar once stood. The lot is owned by State Farm insurance agent Dan Stephens, who has planted his “Good Neighbor” garden there and also plans to sell produce from 2-6 p.m. Fridays.

Cleary said the lot also will be hosting food trucks during weekdays; a truck still is needed for Friday’s market, he added. Cleary noted, for now, anyone selling wares, art, produce or other goods is welcome to set up a table for free at the market. Vendors will be charged a fee after the first two months of the market’s operation.

“Hopefully it’s a big turnout, and hopefully we grow from this,” Cleary said. “Each week we hope to add a little more.”

He noted that all summer long food trucks are expected to set up at the spot at lunch time. For example, Baby-Boyz BBQ is slated for Mondays; Ideal Provisions on Wednesdays; and the Cheese Melt on Thursdays.

“We’re looking for food trucks to fill on Tuesdays and Fridays,” he added.

Project Forward is a group consisting of volunteers from the city and businesses in the community. It formed after last year’s devastating fire on Fourth Street that destroyed several longtime businesses. The group aims to promote the city and its offerings, along with marketing the area that burned for redevelopment.

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