Newton Farmers Market moves to Legacy Plaza greenspace

Newton Farmers Market has outgrown its town square location and will be moving this year’s events to the developing greenspace at Legacy Plaza.

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, told Newton News in a recent interview that there are a number of reasons the farmers market is changing locations, and perhaps the biggest reason is the event continues to grow. So much so Yeager had to turn down vendors last year.

“When we’re at full capacity we have no room to add in that little block on the north side of the square,” Yeager said. “So we had to have a waiting list last year. Through the majority of the summer I couldn’t add anybody. That’s a hard thing to be picky and choosey on what I want, and I don’t want to be that way.”

The farmers market — organized by Newton Main Street with the help of volunteers — wants to continue growing and making the events bigger and better. Yeager argued there is little room to grow on the square, which is still a heavily traveled area during the afternoons and evenings the market is open.

Another reason the farmers market is moving to Legacy Plaza is safety. Yeager said even though the farmers market was set up on a closed street clearly marked by barricades, there have been a few cars that chose to ignore the barriers and drive through them. Parked cars are becoming an issue, too.

Oftentimes cones and signs were placed in parking stalls well before the market was open to reserve vendor spots. Signs included the time the market started. Vehicles had to be moved by then. Nevertheless, Yeager said there has always been at least one car that had to be ticketed by the community service officer.

“We had to put the cones out so early downtown, but we want to be respectful of the business owners because we sometimes heard that when the cones are out people were afraid to park,” Yeager said. “…We’re trying to be respectful to the brick-and-mortars who said the cones were a deterrent to their business.”

Vendors come from all over but a large portion are local. The most vendors the farmers market has at one time is about 25 vendors. Yeager said the 2024 season saw the addition of six or seven new vendors. To keep up with the growth, Main Street has tasked board member Nikki Brain as a market manager.

“She started out as a market vendor and now she’s come on to our board, and her whole thing on our board is being our market manager,” Yeager said. “She is our market manager, so her whole goal is to grow our market. We’re going to do some other new things this year, too.”

For instance, the third Tuesday of every month the farmers market will extend its operating time to 4-7 p.m., which means more live music and food trucks. Yeager said there will also be themed markets and other activities in the greenspace as well, giving the community a chance to experience a new hangout.

“DMACC Newton Campus has put in so much time and effort to create this great space over here, so why not utilize it?” Yeager said. “We can grow and we can have music and we can have food trucks and we can have activities for kids. We don’t just want you to come down, grab your vegetables or goods and then leave.”

Yeager wants visitors to talk to the vendors and enjoy the community. She encourages farmers market patrons to bring a blanket and grab some food and stay awhile. Spend some quality time outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, she said, and talk to your friends and neighbors at the market.

“We want you to stay longer and just enjoy yourselves,” she said. “Our goal is to move over here and have more activity, and we’re still in the Main Street District.”

Brain has been a vendor at the Newton Farmers Market the past few years; her business, Sprinkles & Stitches Markers, combines baked goods and crochet crafts. As the market manager, she is focused on bringing in new food truck opportunities and food stands within the market itself.

“Also looking to bring some entertain to the market this season,” Brain said. “…There are music opportunities other nights in the season but we will definitely have musical entertainment those third Tuesdays of each month. We also will be partnering with some other community resources.”

While she couldn’t give away any of these partnerships, Brain noted there will be more interactive experiences for families with children.

“It’s going to have all the things you enjoy about a local farmers market, like your locally grown produce, things that are locally crafted and handmade,” Brain said. “But we’re also expanding that concept of skills and talents into other areas like musicians and artists and things along those lines.”

Kim Didier, executive director of DMACC Business Resources, said when DMACC engaged community members in 2017 about the future vision of the five-acre greenspace, hosting events like the farmers market is exactly what the taskforce desired to build community.

“The improvements that were completed last year with the new stamped pavement, trees, plantings and lighting make the gathering space an ideal location for the Farmer’s Market,” Didier said. “We look forward to a wonderful season.”

Want to apply to be a vendor at the Newton Farmers Market? Visit the Newton Farmers Market Facebook page and send in your applications for the 2025 season, which will official starting on June 3 and last until Sept. 30. Spots are limited.