News : Farmers Market patrons enjoyed salsa, banana splits

Children watch as volunteers make a long banana split.

Colson Chvala and Macy Druschel were among more than 160 people who enjoyed banana splits Thursday.

Dawn Silver, Hot Salsa 1st, & Rose Kerkman filling in for daughter Becky Underwood/Mild Salsa winner

Thursday was a night for Farmers Market patrons who like their food both hot and cold. On the north side of the Depot, the annual Salsa contest took place while several area farmers offered the latest fresh produce from their garden.

On the south side, more than 50 volunteers from Blessed Hope Church made and served a 50-foot-long banana split.

Salsa winners: Silver and Underwood

The winners of the annual Salsa Contest were Dawn Silver with her hot/spicy salsa and Becky Underwood with her mild salsa. These two were selected by judges Greg Walston, Tyler Lorenzen & Roxanne Ervin. The judges had some tough choices with 9 different Salsas entered this year. After the judging everyone enjoyed chips and salsa from all the contestants.

Great turn-out

The Vinton Farmers market sponsored by the Vinton Parks & Recreation Department is very pleased with the great turn out by vendors and market goers during the last few weeks and the entire season. The Benton County Historical Society has been so gracious to allow us to host our market at their facility and this has been a win, win situation for both entities. Almost every night of market I have someone comment on how this is their first time in the depot and how they thought it really is a neat and interesting facility. Also if you can remember back to when we started the market, we were on the 4th Street parking lot. We now have parking, shade, restrooms and just a great environment to hold our market. The market has been very lucky to have local producers bring their wide variety of vegetables including sweet corn, green bean, peppers, kohlrabi, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and much more.

The market has been fortunate to have many local bakers who are bringing delicious pies, cakes breads, rolls, cupcakes and many other treats that will definitely get your taste buds excited.

Then the market had a real treat with Blessed Hope Church providing a 50 foot Banana Split for everyone to feast on. The crowd was excited waiting for the banana split to get made and they weren’t disappointed.

Thank you to Blessed Hope for sharing with our market and special thanks to all who entered the Salsa Contest.

If you have any questions about the market, contact the VPRD at 472-4164. You can also visit our website at vprdzone.com for weekly activities and vendor registration forms.

Community Band to perform at Farmers Market, Aug. 14!

The Vinton Farmers Market will once again have the VintonCommunity Band take center stage at the market on Thursday, August 14th under the leadership of long time director Judy Trygstad. The group will be playing a lot of classics that will make for an enjoyable night at the market.

See more photos HERE.