By Lee Reinsch
Correspondent

GREEN BAY — It’s said Wisconsin has two seasons – winter and road construction.

After last year, it’s tempting to add a new one with a more positive reputation: Farmers market season.

Green Bay’s sister markets have returned to their former splendor – smack dab in the middle of the road, re-routing traffic with their blasts of color, crowds and sound.

Last year, both markets, the mid-week Farmers Market on Broadway and the Saturday Farmers Market on South Washington, had different off-street venues.

Downtown’s was relegated to a couple of parking lots, and Broadway’s shifted to Leicht Park.

But now, Green Bay’s downtown markets are back in their rightful domains.

Almost the way they used to be.

“Finally a resemblance of something like what we’re all used to seeing,” Downtown Farmers Market Director Patti Schevers said.

Booths at both will be further apart than they were pre-pandemic, and both markets will have plenty of hand sanitizer available.

Directors of each said guests should follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We ask that attendees adhere to the latest CDC guidelines and those who have been fully vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask,” Allie Thut, director of special events for On Broadway, Inc., said. “Those who are not vaccinated are advised to wear a mask. We trust our market shoppers to make the best decision to keep themselves and our community safe.”

Pets aren’t allowed at either market by city law.

In the event of rain in the forecast, Downtown will make a day-of decision by 10 a.m. and post it on Facebook.

Market on Broadway

The 18th Annual Farmers’ Market on Broadway fired up its cylinders this week Wednesday, May 26, on Broadway between Walnut and Dousman Streets.

Its 90 vendors included some new faces, stands selling cookie sandwiches and frozen custard, coffee beverages and mocktails, Egyptian and Middle Eastern foods including falafel and baklava, smoked sausages and processed meats, hand-poured soy candles, small-batch soap and skincare and more.

In addition to vendors, many of the Broadway District’s merchants will be open.

A fan favorite – the beverage tent – is back.

So is music: two stages of it, in the beer garden and at the north entrance.

The Broadway market needs afternoon volunteers to set up tents and evening volunteers to clean up after close (shifts in the beverage tent fill up fast).

Volunteers can see open shifts and sign up online at bit.ly/3eP54oM.

The Broadway market runs Wednesdays through Sept. 29, from 3-8 p.m.

After Labor Day, which is Sept. 6, the market closes at 7 p.m.

Saturday market on Washington

The Saturday Farmers Market on South Washington, from Doty Street to East Walnut, opens Saturday, May 29 and runs from 7 a.m. to noon through Oct. 30.

Its 80 vendors include produce, plants, cut flowers and bouquets, baked goods, coffee and tea, meats, cheeses, handcrafted lotions and soaps, honey, maple syrup and more.

New this year are fresh farm eggs, handmade quilts, jewelry and arts and crafts items.

Among the prepared foods available will be egg rolls, African and Hispanic cuisine, pizza, crepes, pies and breads.

Schevers described the offerings as 75% produce, 20% processed and prepared foods, and 5% non-food items.

“We’re a market that is more based around fresh products and food products,” she said.

Prior to 2020, the Downtown Farmers Market continued down Stewart Street as well as Washington and Doty Streets.

Stewart Street won’t be included this year because of new access-point barricades to prevent traffic incidents.

In addition to barricades, both markets will have a police presence for safety concerns.

Parking and vendor maps, along with event details, can be found ahead of time by CLICKING HERE.