Six of the vendors who set up stalls at Manhattan Beach's first Tuesday farmers market in 2006 will be back at their usual spots Tuesday, July 21, as the Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers Market marks its 20th anniversary at Civic Center Plaza.
The anniversary market runs its usual hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Civic Center Parking Lot and Plaza, 320 15th St.
Kelly Stroman, executive director of the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business & Professional Association, announced the milestone at the Manhattan Beach City Council meeting on July 7. The nonprofit sponsors the market and directs proceeds to community groups including the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and Manhattan Beach Little League.
"It's really been an incubator for so many small businesses, so many nonprofit groups that have exhibited at the farmers market, and just really bringing the community together in so many different ways," Stroman told Easy Reader News.
The market opened with just over two dozen stalls in 2006. Under market manager Cynthia Rogers, who has run operations for more than 12 years, it has grown to approximately 60 vendors, added one at a time.
The six original vendors still showing up every Tuesday: Arnett Farms, JR Organics, Deisy's Pupusas, Dry Dock Fish, Aliki Greek, and Dave's Korean Foods. A guitarist who has performed at the market all 20 years will be back Tuesday as well.
Maureen McBride, who was president of the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business & Professional Association when the market launched and owns the downtown shop Tabula Rasa, called the market one of her proudest accomplishments. She said it brought together local farmers, small businesses, and families in one weekly gathering that added a layer of connection to the community.
JR Organics, one of those day-one vendors, has been named California's top small farmer of the year, according to Rogers.
The market relocated from its original downtown spot to the Civic Center lot after the demolition of Manhattan Beach's Lot 3 parking structure. It closes only for torrential rain forecasts or wind strong enough to threaten vendors' canopies.
The Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers Market continues every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 320 15th St.
Upcoming community events across the South Bay:
- Saturday, July 25: Torrance Antique Street Faire, 1317 Sartori Ave., Torrance, 8 a.m.
- Saturday, July 25: "Shrek the Musical" with live orchestra, James R. Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26: Diversions Fine Arts exhibits "Midsummer" and "Visionaries," 1069 N. Aviation Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
