More than 60 vendors have signed up for the season-opening Heathsville Farmers’ Market on Saturday. Many of the vendors are new to the market.
This day-long event, which takes place at Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, also includes the Tavern Wine Tasting Festival, and an Earth Day celebration.
The Heathsville Farmers’ Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Among vendors new to the market are local folks selling eggs, meat and produce, candles and air plants, designer dog collars and leashes, canned goods, decorative pillows, handspun yarn, hand-loomed potholders and more.
Favorites returning to the market include Franco Produce, Summer Duck Farm pork, Whitley’s Gourmet Peanuts, Rivah Southern products, King William Alpacas, Angie’s Hope handmade soaps, Pampered Chef and Longaberger, and Capt. Tom’s Oyster Floats.
In addition, there are a number of vendors selling handcrafted items such as personalized gifts, tote bags, jewelry, Windsor chairs, baskets, children’s books, decorative wine glasses, and crocheted and knit items.
In a field adjacent to the market, the Earth Day Festival will include exhibits, vendors and special activities for children and adults—all with an environmental theme. This event is sponsored by NAPS (Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship).
Inside the historic tavern itself, the Heritage Arts Center gift shop will be open for business.
The tavern’s annual Wine Fest begins at 11. Five local wineries will offer tastings of their best vintages. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $10, which includes a complimentary etched wine glass. Food and other wine-related vendors will be on hand.
The Farmers’ Market and the Earth Day celebration officially end at 1 p.m. The Wine Fest will run until 4 p.m.
All sites are located on Route 360 in Heathsville. Historic Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, is found at 73 Monument Place, just off Route 360 behind the old Northumberland Courthouse. For more information, visit www.RHHTFoundationinc.org, e-mail info@rhhtfoundationinc.org, or call 804-580-3377.