Hamilton’s Local Farmers Market also to open June 1

By Kathryn “Chazz” Hirschfeld
Staff writer

HAMILTON —  The Hamilton’s Local Farmer’s Market will have its grand opening on Saturday, June 1, at 9 a.m.
The new farmers market will be located at the Hamilton Walking Track, and will continue to operate each Saturday in June and July, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m.
Operated by Hamilton native Gabby Parker, the local market will feature a variety of growers and vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as homemade goods such as juices, jams, jellies and baked goods.
Vendors will also include artists and artesians selling handmade items, plus much more.
“We are hoping to offer something for everyone in the family,” she said. “We’ll have plenty of space at the walking track for people to come and sell their goodies.”
Parker has also invited local musicians to participate, hoping her market can help them spread the word about their talents and availability in the area.
She’s also lining up a different food truck vendor each Saturday so attendees can eat on-site or take home a ready-made meal.
Approved for EBT
&  Senior Farmers
Market Nutrition Program
Parker went before the city council a few months ago to obtain approval for her farmers market. She then went through the process and paperwork necessary to be able to accept EBT & Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers to help benefit those in need and seniors in the community.
She is also glad the funds her vendors make will be going back into the local economy and will be helping to support the local community.

Local roots
Parker grew up in Hamilton and attended local schools. So did her husband, Tim, who also owns Divine Home and Legacy.
With family, the Parkers are also opening a new restaurant in Hamilton, in the location formerly used by J&V Smokehouse and Backside BBQ.
The couple also own and operate the King’s Kennel, where they sell Cane Corso’s, a special dog breed.
The couple have four children, ages two to seven, three girls and one boy, which they homeschool.
The couple have lived in several places since they married in 2017. They came back to Hamilton to raise their family.
At one time, the Parkers lived in Colorado and have fond memories of visiting farmers markets there.
“One of my favorite things to do when we lived in Colorado was to go to the local farmers market,” she said. “We’d get our produce and juice for the week and listen to live music for the first part of Saturday morning and have a local-made breakfast.
“We want our community to love our farmers market, and we hope we have the community’s support so we can continue to offer local goods.
“And we’re glad there are two farmers markets here. We will be promoting and supporting each other.”

Contact information
For more information or to apply to be a vendor, interested persons can call Parker at 205-570-8685. Her Facebook page is “Hamilton’s Local Farmer’s Market.”