DOWNLOAD 2011 REGISTRATION AND GUIDELINES
DOWNLOAD FARMERS MARKET APPLICATION FORM
THE PORTAGE FARMERS MARKET 2011
WE ARE STAYING PUT BUT OUR HOURS ARE CHANGING!
The hours for the Portage Farmer’s Market for the 2011 season have been changed. We will now be starting at noon. There have been many requests for the earlier start time. We all know how people want to purchase earlier. It seems that every week I have to explain why the vendors cannot start earlier. So now we can!
The main reason that we are staying at the Plaza is that there is no other space available. Market Square will be having major paving done this summer so we did not even have to think of making a move. Besides the Vendors showed a very large preference for the Commerce Plaza location. Customers in large part also thought the Plaza location was better. Again, reasons mentioned in favor of the Plaza were the high visibility and the ambiance of the Plaza created by flowers, trees, and the permanent washrooms with hand washing facilities. Several vendors also stated that they had their best years ever in Portage the last 3 years at the Plaza.
Just an informational point is that WIDOT traffic counts show the Plaza location enjoys double the vehicular traffic count over the Market Square location. Over 13,000 vehicles each day pass by the Plaza!
YOU ALL DESERVE ANOTHER BIG THANKYOU!
THANKS to all of YOU who contributed to making the 2010 Portage Farmers Market another HUGE success! The location at Commerce Plaza has worked out well for us the past few years and the vendors, the customers and management all worked quite well together to
make the plaza market a special place on Thursdays so thanks to you our vendors for making this happen!!
BETTER YEAR AHEAD?
The push continues to buy fresh and buy local. More and more we here comments in Wisconsin and nationwide to buy local and buy fresh. News articles appear in the newspapers and magazines that recommended healthy eating suggestions for the same reasons. People want to support their local economy and buy homegrown and homemade products. There is no better place to do this than at their local Farmers’ Market.
Just like last year, Portage area demographics indicate that we have great potential to attract even more patrons to our market as long as we continue to offer better products at reasonable prices and advertise what we offer.
VENDOR SPACES
Remember, spaces are limited as we have cut down the total number of spaces available. First preference for the spaces will be given first to those who had reserved spaces last year. This will be based on the order in which we receive the registration forms in the mail at: PO BOX 336, Portage, WI 53901. The postmark date and time on the returned envelope, or the email date and time or recorded date and time if dropped off at the BID/Main Street Office in the Mercantile located at 117 W. Cook St. Portage. (You mark drop off date & time on the envelope, if you prefer to drop off vs. mail)
MORE ADVERTISING
Again, we intend to follow up on vendors’ suggestions that we advertise more on the north side with banners, signs, etc. We also plan to advertise the Plaza site more heavily downtown near the site and… we plan to have more activities during market time!
THIS YEAR COST REMAIN THE SAME JUST THETIME HAS CHANGED
Same as last year as far as costs are concerned.
2011 FEES
- Season fee, 26 weeks, May-October $85.00 = $3.27/week
- Monthly fee $18.00 = $4.19/week
- Weekly fee $6.00 = $6.00/week
Note: The season fee of $85.00 is a great bargain. You get a prime reserved space at the lowest rate.
You would have to pay $4.19(the monthly breakdown/week) for 20 plus weeks to get near the new annual rate of $85.00 with no guaranteed space. The monthly rate at $18.00 is much better than the weekly rate as 4.3 weeks/month at $6.00 = $25.80/month. We do not assign spaces to monthly or weekly pay vendors. We should have space for monthly and weekly vendors but not a reserved space. We had spaces for everyone last year. Whichever you choose, all fees collected go toward making the Portage Farmers Market better and better.
I’ll be managing the Market again this year and I’m looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Gil’s phone numbers are:
(608) 742-5054 home
(608) 334-4207 cell
If you requested forms by mail we have enclosed a registration form and guidelines for your use. You can keep the Gazette and Guidelines and must only return pages numbered 5 through 8. You may mail your registration form, email it or bring it with you when you come to the market.
Please make checks payable to: Portage BID Farmers Market
NOTE: Return only the registration forms (pages 5 through 8) with your check to: (We would suggest that you make a photo copy of pages 5-8).
Portage BID Farmers Market
PO BOX 336
Portage, WI 53901
See you at the Market and have another GREAT YEAR, Gil Meisgeier, Market Manager
DOWNLOAD FARMERS MARKET APPLICATION FORM
|
