Farmers market celebrates Norfolk Day

NORFOLK — The Norfolk Farmers Market held a special community and business session in celebration of Norfolk Day on Sunday, Aug. 15.

Community organizations not usually allowed within the rules of the market were invited to set up stands, including the Norfolk Curling Club, the Norfolk Land Trust and the Norfolk Childrens’ Foundation. Local businesses also offered special discounts and promotions, and market officials directed people down a specially marked path leading downtown while handing out flyers for the businesses.

A musical show was put on by artists Jordan Rose Lee, Jonathan Hall and Andy Styles.

“It’s an effort to include all these businesses in our market,” said Mary Jo Tomaselli, a member of the market’s steering committee. “We want to draw them in and help them have success as well.”

According to Theresa Cannavo, who identified herself as the “market master,” the event spawned from a last-minute “fizzled” attempt at an agricultural fair a year ago.

“But we thought, why don’t we get those organizations involved again?” Cannavo said.

Business that participated included Haystack Pizza, Norfolk Hair Station, Mountain Spirit Liquors, Station Place Cafe and Aija. 

Part of Aija’s promotion was hosting a book signing by author Gina Hyams, whose most recent work, “The Tanglewood Picnic,” explores the longtime tradition of outdoor food and music in the Berkshires. 

“I’ve written a lot about food, arts and travel, and this book sort of brings all those things together,” Hyams said.

Hyams said she was “thrilled” to participate in the celebration of Norfolk Day. Hyams’ in-laws grew up in Winsted, she said, and “rebelled by moving 10 miles down the road” to Norfolk, which they loved.

Norfolk Hair Station, a relative newcomer to the area opening in May of this year, offered special discounts on hair tinsel and temporary dyes as part of a “carnival kind of atmosphere,” according to owner Vickie Thompson.

“It’s fun and fabulous for all ages,” said Thompson’s daughter, Tessa Thompson, who also works at the station. Both Thompsons sported the bright colors and tinsel inserts available at the salon.

“I think it’s been great,” said Vickie Thompson. “People are festive. There are just really positive people in this town.”

An hour into the market, 120 cars had been counted by parking lot attendants, according to Tomaselli, who said she expected easily to break 400 for the day’s event. Cannavo called the turnout “tremendous,” and said she expected more successful collaborations between the market and local businesses in the future.

For more information on the Norfolk Farmer’s Market go to www.norfolkfarmersmarket.org.