Dreary Weather Doesn't Deter Canton's Market-Goers

Despite the dreary conditions on Sunday, Canton’s first farmers market of the spring and summer seasons was bustling.

Vendors snuggled up to one another inside the Cady-Boyer barn at Preservation Park – after a few of them who were set up on the porch at the Bartlett-Travis house were driven into the barn by the drizzle.

Inside, market-goers were warmed with live music performed by Mark Reitenga, as well as ladles of simmering red lentil and red pepper soup prepared by Canton chef Paul Penney.

Penney provides personal contract cooking services for local companies, including the Health Alliance Plan insurance provider.

“I try to get things that are in season,” he said, of the red lentils. “That’s the cool part about this whole thing, It gets people to try things they otherwise might not.”

Among some of the summer offerings were flowers and numerous fresh plants and herbs.

Rona Wheeler, of the Master Gardener Association of Wayne County, was on hand for the Perennial Exchange, where people could bring in old flowers to swap for new ones.

The flower exchange event will also be held at next weekend’s farmer’s market.

Dave’s Greenhouse and Gardens – a Canton-based organic business – was also there, with a large display of chemical-free herbs and vegetables.

Canton’s Bobilin Honey had a small bee display set up at their table, which drew the attention of many kids, including 8-year-old Kyle Daniels.

“I was telling Kyle about the bees, and how they were like the bumblebees we hand at home on the deck,” said family friend John Becker. “He loves bees.”

The first of the season’s weekly markets, which will run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday through October, drew 250 people.

Tina Lloyd, the farmer's market manager for Canton Leisure Services, said that she felt the turnout was better than expected."Considering the rain, this has been a really great day," she said.