DeKalb Farmers Market will operate every Thursday until Sept. 21

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Dana Walker of DeKalb browsed the downtown DeKalb Farmers Market on June 1 with her dog, Sophie and said she and her daughter frequent the market regularly.

The DeKalb Farmers Market returned to Van Buer Plaza in downtown DeKalb and will continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 21. The market is hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and presented by Northwestern Medicine.

“We never miss it,” Walker said. “We come every Thursday. It’s on the calendar.”

Walker said she wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but she felt the market had a nice turnout for opening day.

“I have a couple booths that I always hit every time that I come,” Walker said. “I always love getting the fresh veggies. I love that the AM and PM Hemp Farm is here and that they have water bowls for the dogs.”

The market, located between Second and Locust streets, featured vendors selling everything from fresh, locally grown produce and extra virgin olive oil to handmade and homemade products.

New this season, the market will feature a craft demonstration by DeKalb craft store Michaels.

The demo will take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. June 22. Participants, while supplies last, will have the chance to decorate a sign that they can take home and place in their yard.

Also new this season, the market is introducing some different musicians to the lineup for Egyptian Theatre’s free Live Lunch Music Series, which runs every

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week from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Virginia Filicetti, DeKalb Chamber market manager, said the series will offer a wide variety of music to appeal to anyone’s taste.

“It ranges, so there’s going to be jazz music, guitar artists,” Filicetti said. “Usually, Stage Coach Players does a few songs from musicals that they have coming up.”

Among the vendors on hand for opening day was Bill Hristakos. He said he was selling extra virgin olive oil from his olive farms in Greece, which he described as very pure.

“It takes about a month to harvest it and then we leave it about a month and a half to settle down because we don’t filter it,” Hristakos said. “We just leave it to be all everything natural. Because when you filter it, you lose a lot of flavors. So, we leave it in the vent for a month and a half, it settles down by itself and then we put in the bottles. [It’s] never been mixed. Whatever I produce, I put them in the bottle. Like I said, from my farm to your table.”

On average, the market features about 20 vendors each week.

Hristakos said he enjoyed the turnout for the market’s opening day.

“For a hot day like we have today, it’s

WHERE IT’S AT

Local News Briefs

KishFamily YMCA awarded $3,700 from women’s faith-based group SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Family YMCA recently received $3,700 from Women Supporting Faith-Based Organizations.

The money will support the YMCA’s Livestrong program, according to a news release.

WSFBO donates money to a nonprofit organization quarterly. The check was presented to YMCA Livestrong instructors Laurie Gilbert and Amanda Peck by WSFBO member Cindy Minnihan.

Livestrong is a 12-week adult cancer survivors program. The program supports participants through physical activity. Participants can connect with peers and try various exercises offered at the YMCA.

Women Supporting Faith-Based Organizations is a group that supports and positively impacts faith-based nonprofit organizations in DeKalb County.

The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is a

DeKalb

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nonprofit organization that aims to enrich the spirit, mind and body of those in the community, especially families and children, regardless of ability to pay.

For information, visit kishymca.org.

Cemetery board donates to DeKalb American Legion

DeKALB – The DeKalb American Legion Post 66 received a $300 donation from the Fairview Cemetery’s board of directors.

The donation will be used to purchase mini American flags to be placed at the cemetery, according to a news release.

DeKalb American Legion members and various scout organizations placed American flags on veterans’ graves at Fairview Cemetery for Memorial Day.

The DeKalb American Legion donates or passes out various mini-American flags at parades, Memorial Day, and other military service ceremonies.

To donate, email olalde481@aol.com.

– Shaw Local