Dillon Mayor Tally McColl recently signed the proclamation recognizing National Farmers Market Week. The Dillon County Health Initiative (DCHI) has been working with the City of Dillon to obtain a permanent covered space for the Farmers Market. After the signing, Mayor McColl stated that he sees the Farmer’s Market/Pavilion area as a drawing card for Dillon. It will generate a great deal of foot traffic and will be family-friendly. It will provide something for all ages and is the beginning of a vision for downtown.
DCHI’s Pop Up Farmers Market will celebrate National Farmers Market Week at their August market. Sponsored by the Farmers Market Coalition, this week long celebration is observed all across the United States in markets big and small. The August 14th market will include a free hot dog, chips and a drink for the first 100 people who attend. There will be giveaways and door prizes.
Three regular markets remain in this season. September will be “Bring Your Grandparents to the Farmers Market.” It will feature That Hartsville Bubble Guy who will entertain the young and not so young. Door prizes will be given away along with goodies for the grandparents and grandchildren.
October will be “Trick or Treat at the Farmers Market.” Visit each market vendor for a special treat. We will also be celebrating Fire Safety Month with the City of Dillon Fire Department. Because that is not enough, we will be sponsoring a pumpkin and sweet potato recipe contest. Those interested should make their favorite pumpkin or sweet potato recipe and bring it to the market between 3 and 4 p.m.
Independent judges will be doing the tasting and cash prizes will be awarded in both categories. There is no entry fee, but you must fill out an entry form and return it by September 30th. For more information on the contest and our market, visit www.dilloncountyfarmersmarket.com.
The final market of the season will be the Mistletoe Market held on November 13th from 4-7 pm. Mistletoe Market will feature more craft/gift vendors giving shoppers the opportunity to pick up unique gifts and order holiday supplies or goodies from food vendors. Anyone interested in being a vendor at this or any of our markets, please visit our website. There are no vendor fees at any of the markets.
The proclamation reads as follows:
Dillon County
Health Initiative
FARMERS MARKET WEEK
August 6th – 12th, 2023
By Dillon Mayor
Tally McColl
A Proclamation
WHEREAS Dillon County farmers and ranchers provide citizens with access to healthful, locally, and regionally produced foods through farmers markets, which are expanding and evolving to accommodate the demand for a diverse array of agricultural products, and
WHEREAS farmers markets and other agricultural direct marketing outlets provide infrastructure to assist in the distribution of farm value-added products, thereby contributing approximately $9 billion each year to the U.S. economy, and
WHEREAS farmers markets serve as significant outlets by which small-to-medium, new and beginning, and veteran agricultural producers market agricultural products, generating revenue that supports the sustainability of family farms and the revitalization of rural communities nationwide, and
WHEREAS the Mayor Tally McColl recognizes the importance of expanding agricultural marketing opportunities that assist and encourage the next generation of farmers and ranchers; generate farm income to help stimulate business development and job creation; build community connections through rural and urban linkages.
NOW, THEREFORE, to further awareness of farmers markets’ contributions to City of Dillon and Dillon County life, I, Tally McColl, Mayor of Dillon do hereby proclaim the week of August 6-12, 2023, as Farmers Market Week, in conjunction with the observance of National Farmers Market Week. I call upon our citizens to celebrate farmers markets with appropriate observance and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of August 2023.
Tally McColl, Mayor
City of Dillon