MARC plans to expand weekly farmers market in Monongahela

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Farmers markets on Friday afternoons have been a popular summer attraction in Monongahela for decades.

And if the Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation has its way, the event will be bigger and better this year.

MARC recently announced it’s taking over the event, and the organization is looking to add to the usual roster of local farmers and vendors.

Farmers market chairperson Michelle DeHosse, who also serves as MARC secretary, chamber of commerce vice president and owner of Sparkles by Shell, wants to add home party vendors, wineries, food trucks, local musicians, dance groups and choirs to the event, which is scheduled to kick off June 11 and continue every Friday afternoon in June, July, August and September.

She said the event may also expand into Chess Park and have expanded hours, closing at 6:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.

“That was a problem for people who work outside of Monongahela,” she said.

A staple on Fridays during the summer month, the farmers market was originally run by volunteers Tanya Chaney and Irma Hiller for many years.

After a conversation with MARC President George Eckert, they decided to let MARC take over the market.

“We have more of a volunteer network,” DeHosse said.

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