Farmers market ribbon cutting planned

By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff

Abingdon Farmers Market vendors have been settling into their new quarters over the past month; however, a ribbon cutting ceremony with music and food next week will mark the official completion of the Abingdon Farmers Market and Community Pavilion.

The pavilion, located on Remsburg Drive off Cummings Street, includes a stage and space for the farmers market held on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Tom Peterson of Appalachian Sustainable Development said the move from the parking lot alongside the police station to the new pavilion has been well received by customers. He said about 1,000 people came through the market last Saturday.

“It’s much more of a friendly environment,” he said. “People come and hang out, drink coffee and chat. It also gives the farmers market a physical presence even when the vendors aren’t there.”

Abingdon Town Manager Greg Kelly estimated that the pavilion, about a year in the making, cost between $200,000 and $300,000.  He said it’s just part of the town’s plan to help revitalize downtown.

“It will pull people into Abingdon on market days and hopefully to shop downtown,” he said.

Construction on Depot Square down the street will begin in the spring and include green space, reconfigured parking and the installation of a train caboose for a visitor’s kiosk. With its direct connection with the Creeper Trail, Kelly hopes the area will encourage people to walk and bike.

He said it’s also easier to close off Remsburg Drive than it is Main Street so there’s more opportunity for concerts.

“Even during the day people could eat their lunch at picnic tables and listen to music,” he said. “I’d love to hear music flowing through our town every week.”

The ribbon cutting will begin on Friday Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. and music featuring Charlie Allen & Blue Highway and food from Abingdon restaurants using local farmers’ produce will follow at 7 p.m.