Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The Oakesdale Outdoor Market will begin its second summer June 19, the first of four dates including Old Mill Days.
The event began last year when Nanette Bolyard, who had sold cupcakes at the Saturday Market in Tekoa, thought that Oakesdale might benefit from something similar.
Given permission by the Oakesdale city council, Bolyard, who has lived in the town for 14 years, began to organize a market. Last year’s Saturday morning gatherings have been changed to Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“People have things happening on Saturdays,” Bolyard said. “Birthdays, weddings, going to the lake. So we thought we’d try this.”
For the first year, four Oakesdale vendors participated. They will return, along with possibly more as the summer continues. Bolyard has received interest from a painter and from a homemade greeting card maker.
One of the new vendors will be Bolyard’s seventh-grade daughter Jeralin, who is set to sell baked goods to raise money for WSU science camp.
Other items on sale will be locally grown lavender products, homemade soaps, lotions, scrubs, blankets and baby items, scarves, neck coolers, paintings, lemonade and orange slush drinks, cupcakes and other baked items and occasional cotton candy.
“It is a way for people to sell their hand-crafted or homemade/grown items and bring a small shopping area to downtown at least once a month during the summer,” said Bolyard. She noted participation is free.
The vendors set up tables and canopies by the little old brick gas station on the corner of Steptoe and First Street, across from Crossett’s Market. Inside the station is a refrigerator available for use.
Many of the Outdoor Market vendors will also be on hand Saturday, July 11, for Oakesdale’s Old Mill Days.
Other Summer Outdoor Market dates include June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21 (weather permitting).
Any interested sellers for the Outdoor Market or Old Mill Days may contact Bolyard via email at Nanamaries12@gmail.com.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)