Hannibal Arts Council partners with Hannibal Central Park Farmers’ Market for Folklife Festival

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Arts Council Executive Director Michael Gaines and Program Coordinator Beth Hinton met in January with representatives from the Hannibal Central Park Farmers’ Market, including market manager Steve Huse, to discuss a potential collaboration. The group then explored how to bring the Farmers’ Market to the 49th Hannibal Folklife Festival weekend on Oct. 18-19.

Vendors will relocate this year to Center Street for the festival weekend. Festival-goers will have access to a wide variety of fresh produce, pumpkins, baked goods, plants, handmade items and other market staples. Traditionally, the Farmers Market operates from April through October every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, just a few blocks west of Main Street in Central Park.

Details are still in the works, but organizers will introduce a new sign marking the entrance to the Farmers Market area, enhancing the festival experience for both locals and visitors.

In a press release, Huse said, “Us vendors are looking forward to joining the Folklife Festival this fall, and I foresee great things coming from this partnership.”

“I am very excited to bring the Central Park Farmers’ Market downtown during Hannibal Arts Council’s Hannibal Folklife Festival,” Hinton said. “There’s nothing better when community organizations come together. Adding them to the festival was a no-brainer.”

The Hannibal Folklife Festival is presented by the Hannibal Arts Council, with past major sponsors including HNB Bank, Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Missouri Arts Council, as well as performances sponsor Blessing Health Hannibal.

For more information about the Hannibal Folklife Festival, contact the Hannibal Arts Council at 573-221-6545 or email festivals@hannibalarts.com. For updates and full festival details, follow the Hannibal Folklife Festival on Facebook or visit the festival’s page at hannibalarts.com.