Week #1

Helena Market Days!
Helena’s Summer Farmer Market is here. Our little market was ranked as the Best of the Best in Shelby County and won Farmer Market of the month in Alabama the year before. We bring local farmer and artisans to Helena so you can buy fresh produce and help the local farmers.

Here is a market Guide

Where: It takes place at the Helena Amphitheater in Old Town behind the old jail. You will see the white tent tops. It is free to come and just hang out. A little secret, you can park behind the tents. Most people trying to pack into the parking spaces or park outside the park but the regulars know better.

When: It occurs every Saturday morning from 8am-Noon starting this weekend until the end of August. Some farmers are always there and others come every other week. Almost all of them only take cash.

What to do: 

Chef demonstrations: Almost every Saturday there is a chef demonstration. This is arranged by our very talented Mary Perko. This Saturday at 10am we will have Chef Sue Lemieux from the award winning Fox Valley. She will show you how to make a delicious and refreshing chilled Cantaloupe Soup. Even better, she gives away free samples afterwards and you can sit under some tents and enjoy. The chef tent is usually the last tent on the right. In fact the Birmingham news wrote an article about the Market this week: Full Article

Music: Local artist come and perform at the market. Bob Van Loan schedules them in case you want to participate. This Saturday’s young artist is none other than Abby Holt who was a 2012 La Reunion Idol contestant and is an upcoming singer song writer in the area. She will also be selling her demo cd. The musicians play for tips so before you leave give them a little something for atmosphere they provide for the whole market. Most musicians usually perform at 9am sometime.

Charity: One of the things that make Helena’s Market different is that we spotlight a charity every week. This Market's Charity Spot light is Sonrise Baby Home. You can stop by their tent to feed out more about them

Special Event: This only happens on special Saturdays with items like pony rides, ice cream, bbq and free sandwiches. So keep your ears open. I have made a tentative calendar of Helena Market Events for the entire season at the bottom of the post if you want to get a glimpse. We have a BBQ Butt cook off coming up. It is meant for amateurs but everyone is welcome. If you are interested, let me know soon at nosleepinhelena@gmail.com

Volunteer: Are you interested in meeting exciting chefs, mingling with farmers, event planning or you need volunteer hours for school?  The Helena Market Days Committee could really you. We would love to have you just to help set up tents at 6am or break them down at Noon but there is more fun to enjoy if you are interested or bored.