Before 10 a.m., participants in Saturday’s Yellow Door farm-to-table fundraising event at Smokehouse 52 BBQ had helped organizers smash the benefit’s $2,000 fundraising goal.
By 10:10 a.m. the fundraiser had raised $2,300.
Throughout the morning, there was a steady stream of people arriving for the locally sourced menu that included ingredients from Fresh, Zatkovich Pastures, Tantre Farm, Goetz Farm, Mama Mofoods, La Baguette, Greystone Creamery, Ruhlig’s Produce, Kelly Farms, Golden Fleece Farm, Kapnick Orchards.
In addition, there was live music by Swizzlestick with special guest Joe Uzarski.
Sponsors for event included: Stephanie and Larry Doll, Pat and Sandy Merkel, Chelsea Community Kitchen, vendors of the Chelsea Farmers Market, and Smokehouse 52 BBQ.
One of the event sponsors, Sandy Merkel, said she grew up on a farm and has always enjoyed gardening and locally grown produce.
“I like to garden and I used to volunteer to take photos and do little stories about the market vendors about 8 or 9 years ago,” she said.
Sandy Merkel said that both she and her husband, Pat Merkel are frequent visitors to the Chelsea Farmers’ Market, believe in the community and an event like this “supports production in the local area.”
Market Manager Ashley Miller Helmholdt said, “I’m really proud to be from Chelsea where people support these events, and I’m really excited that winter’s over and the markets are starting.”
Another sponsor Stephanie Doll said, “I’m so glad to see so many people in the Chelsea community appreciate the farmers’ markets and have come out to support this Yellow Door.”
Opening day for the Saturday Chelsea Farmers’ Market is May 3, from 8 a.m.-noon at its new location on Main Street in the former Palmer Ford lot.
The following week, the Bushel Basket Market will open on Wednesday, May 7 from 2:30-6 p.m. on the Chelsea Community Hospital Campus.
Please enjoy the photo gallery below from the event.
