With the weather finally cooling off and the holiday season about to begin, Wellington’s green market is returning under new management.
Starting Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m., the Green Market at Wellington will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its original location, next to the Wellington Amphitheater. The season will continue until April 30, but will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends.
Wellington officials were not happy with declining attendance last year and put the green market out to bid. There were several interested parties, and Wellington chose POTTC Events to run it.
“We look forward to what they’re doing,” Wellington Parks & Recreation Director Bruce DeLaney said. “We think that there might just be somewhat of a different perspective. Although the previous green market had been in existence for four years and had some highs and some lows, I guess the feeling was that perhaps a new administration may give it an opportunity to become a little bit better attended.”
POTTC Events is not new to the green market game, said owner Kathy Gilbert.
“Being as we already produce and manage the Royal Palm Beach Green Market & Bazaar, and we live here locally within the community, we’re excited that there’s another market right here within the western communities,” she said.
Operating a Saturday green market, in addition to the Sunday green market in Royal Palm Beach, will help better serve and promote both events, Gilbert said.
For Wellington’s first week, visitors will have the opportunity to listen to live music by Davee Bryan and enjoy face painting and balloons while they shop for fresh produce, baked goods, local crafts and products, and more. There will be everything from fruits, vegetables, produce, organic produce, plants and fresh seafood, to artists, crafters and more.
“You’ll see a little bit of everything out there,” Gilbert said.
Many of the vendors from the past will be returning, and new vendors will join in. She expects somewhere between 30 and 40 vendors for the opening weekend.
“We’re offering a nice selection of different vendors for patrons to shop at,” Gilbert said.
After shopping, the Wellington Amphitheater, just steps away, offers the perfect place for a sit-down picnic lunch, or just to relax and enjoy the weather.
“I know a lot of people have been waiting for this to open, vendors and patrons, so just bringing it all together and having that opening day where people can come out and shop, spend some time with family and friends, and go out and support your local community, we’re really excited about that,” Gilbert said. “We’re kicking this off and bringing a little new life in.”
The family-friendly, free event has free parking, and dogs are welcome. The Green Market at Wellington is situated near Scott’s Place playground, as well as restrooms and shaded areas.
The market is produced and hosted by POTTC Events, and is sponsored in part by the Village of Wellington, Kool 105.5, Pirate Radio of the Treasure Coast and The Palm Beach Post.
“We’re very excited to get it up and running again,” DeLaney said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how this progresses, and we’re in for a great season.”
For more information, visit www.greenmarketatwellington.com or call (561) 792-9260.
