On Saturday, June 12, at 8 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the 26th annual Joe Obbie Farmers Market, formerly called the Webster Farmers Market.
Thirty vendors are expected to set up in the municipal parking lot behind the Baptist Church at the intersection of Routes 250 and Main Street in the village of Webster.
“Our farm market is unique because it is organized by the vendors, themselves,” explained
Fidele Noto, a fruit farmer from Williamson, and the group’s president. Noto expects many of the vendors to sell fresh, local fruit and vegetables, while others will sell baked goods, plants and crafts.
Noto became involved with the farmers market a year or two after it was started. At the time, Noto worked at Xerox, and a co-worker, Joe Obbie, bought Noto’s peaches to sell at the market. When he talked about expanding the market, Noto was the first to volunteer. Noto, 72, moved from Webster to Williamson to become a full-time farmer after taking an early retirement more than 20 years ago.
As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the farmers market will be renamed to honor Mr. Obbie, who died in 2005. His widow, Pat Obbie, will be there to cut the ribbon. Pat will continue to participate in the market as a vendor of cookies, cheeses and spicy pickles. She described the market as “a very happy place.”
Nancy Elliott, secretary to the group and also a farmer, put it this way: “Our goal this year was to try to make the market a community event, fun for the whole family, and with something for everybody of all ages.”
Saturday’s opening day festivities will include the ribbon cutting ceremony and balloons for the kids. At 10 a.m. Rochester Rhapsody, a 26-member a cappella competition chorus comprised of past recipients of the Ladies Association of British Barbershoppers Trophy, will perform.
During its June 8 meeting, Republicans in the Monroe County Legislature tabled a measure that would decrease the cost of the fee for a food vendor to sell food at farmer's markets in Monroe County. The proposal would have increased the length of a permit to sell prepared food. The fee is currently $115 for a 14-day permit. The proposal would have changed the fee to $450 for a six month season.
