Farmers Market Coming to Paulus Park This Summer

Residents of Lake Zurich want a thriving Farmer's Market and the village listened. A committee is currently making plans for a market that will be held in Paulus Park, 3-7 p.m., Fridays, starting in mid-late June.

"We're so excited and Tom (Poynton) is so excited. He wanted it to be one of the first things that comes out of his administration. He really wants a vibrant place for residents. That is one step toward making Lake Zurich the vibrant place we all want this to be," said Janet Barron, who is leading volunteers on a committee of the Park and Recreation Advisory board.

Barron said the park board has been exploring the idea of a village-run market since last August. She and other volunteers including Mary Beth Euker and Susan Miller have been doing research to ensure that the market has adequate vendors. 

"There is nothing worse than going to a farmers market where there is nothing there," she said.

The committee is recruiting vendors through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The goal is to have 20 vendors. Barron said the committee seeks local produce and other local, sustainable products, such as wool made from Angora rabbits or alpaca, local honey and other like products. Interested vendors can call Barron at 847-540-0942.

The fees for vendors are competitive. For a 20-by-20-foot booth, vendors will pay $250 for a season. There is a $50 surcharge for electricity.

Barron said the committee decided to host the Farmer's Market at Paulus Park due to the large amount of traffic on Route 12, which is even more so on Friday evenings. 

"On Friday, going northbound, there are about 25,000 cars. That sold us on the day, time and location," Barron said. 

She said there is a possibility the market could move downtown after the market is established and the downtown is going. 

There will be a community service portion, headed by Susan Miller. Each week a community non-profit group can sell sodas, water or possibly sweet corn or apples and keep the profit.

The market is expected to open on June 14 and run through Sept. 29. 

A Facebook page and website will be coming soon. A logo will be chose from artistic entries from Lake Zurich High School students. 

"We're going to have a lovely Farmer's Market. There is always room for more and our parking is spectacular," Barron said.

Editor's note: An error in Mary Beth Euker's name was corrected.