Thompson Falls Market opening day launches new programs

The second season of the Thompson Falls Market launches this weekend, Saturday, June 27th from 9:00am-1:00pm on the west lot of the Falls Motel. With the success of 2008 season, the market coordinators have added new elements to the event that embraces a live local theme.

The Market has added recycling on site thanks to the kind support of Whitepine Entertainment and Scrap Happy Recycling. Look for bins on either end of the market field during each event. Along with aluminum cans, the Market encourages residents to keep, clean and contribute the following to the Market Recycling Project: Wine corks (real cork and plastic composite),plastic berry "clam shells", plastic shopping bags, jars with lids (washed and labels removed), and black plastic greenhouse planter pots. These items will be donated to various vendors and crafters who can reuse or use them to create or repackage products.

Shoppers will be able to enjoy signing up to win Market Money! All vendors will have Market Money entry forms and baskets for signing up. Shoppers can fill these out and win $1-$5 per week to spend at a future 2009 market day. No more than three entries per person per week.

Area residents now have the opportunity to sign up for Market E-News which highlights who is selling what at the current week’s market. A weekly email sent to those who have opted in each Thursday before the market with updates on what vendors have signed up and what they plan to bring to the market. The Market E-News can Sign up by going to the website www.ThompsonFallsMarket.com or emailing your contact information to manager@thomsponfallsmarket.com.

In an effort to help area nonprofits promote and raise funds for their programs, the Market launched the 2009 Nonprofit Adopt-a-Weekend. "We are encouraging our friends and neighbors to visit the market, support and learn about what area nonprofit organizations do to help or improve our community,"shares Katrina Wright, market coordinator and co-owner of the Falls Motel. "We want people to bring a lawn chair or blanket, come to kick back and enjoy the live music and share a picnic lunch sold by a local nonprofit. It is a great way to spend a Saturday morning with other community members," Wright continued.

Currently the following organizations have signed up to participate and each are planning fun activities, good food or snacks and will be offering information about their organization: July 11th Sanders Co. Historical Society, July 18th Sanders Co. Coalition for Families, July 25th Blue Hawks Booster Club, August 1st Sanders County 4-H, August 22nd Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce and September 12th Friends of the Library.

Visitors will also find over fourteen vendors selling a variety of baked goods, early season produce, chainsaw wood carvings, and painted ceramics. In celebration of opening day, one vendor will be selling her world famous huckleberry white chocolate fudge.

For more information about the Thompson Falls Market go to www.ThompsonFallsMarket.com or call Katrina at (406) 827-3559.