Growing market

By John Grant Emeigh, of The Montana Standard - 07/01/2007

Roxcee Kountz, right, points out an item Saturday to JoAnn Spaulding, president of the Whitehall Farmer’s Market, at the Legion Street Park in Whitehall. Kountz makes fused glass jewelry, plates and decorations. Top: Goat milk soap is on display by Angel Adams at the Whitehall Farmer’s Market Saturday. Photo by Lisa Kunkel / The Montana Standard.

One benefit of strolling through the Whitehall Farmer’s Market is your legs shouldn’t get too tired.

However, the market, in its second year, makes up for its size with its variety of vendors.

Angel Adams, vice president of the farmer’s market, said her group is steadily trying to get the word out during the event’s sophomore year.

“People need to learn we have it here now and more will come,” Adams said while selling her own items at a booth Saturday morning.

Adams runs Heavenly Dreams Goat Soap and Lotion out of Whitehall. She sells soaps and lotions that she makes from scratch with goat milk.

The Whitehall market gives people in the region an alternate to the Butte Farmers’ Market, which goes on at the same time.

Sherilyn Allen said she’s glad to have another venue to sell her quilts. She was at the Butte Farmers’ Market the week before and said she was disappointed, because there was more competition.

“Sales have been really good for me in Whitehall,” Allen said.

Bob Neary of Whitehall already sold three of his wooden sculptures that he carves with a chainsaw by early Saturday morning. What started as a hobby is turning into a little cash for him.

“I used to just give them away, and my wife and daughter said why don’t I come by the farmer’s market and sell them. And it’s going good,” Neary said.

Adams said there is plenty of space for more vendors at the market that runs through Sept. 8. Interested vendors can just come down to the market and pay $5 for a day or $40 for a season pass.

“We hope to have this whole park filled up with vendors before we’re through,” Adams said.