By Myra Bean

The current Batesville Square Market started nine years ago as Panola Farmer’s Market on June 30, 2010. Now going strong, the 2019 Square Market edition will kick off with approximately 20 vendors on the Downtown Square tomorrow (Wednesday), according to market manager Joyce Russell.

There will be an opening ceremony at the Downtown Square gazebo with a prayer by a local minister who will ask blessings for area growers and crops this season. Katie Azar will sing a patriotic song and Mayor Jerry Autrey will say a few words of encouragement for the farmers and vendors participating this year.

Square Market is sponsored by the City of Batesville and the Main Street Program through the Panola Partnership offices. The Market will be open each Wednesday, June 5 to Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In 2011, the named was changed to Square Market and the start date moved to the first Wednesday in June. Vendors sell fresh produce, other agricultural products, homemade food items, crafts and live plants. They come from a 100-mile radius of Batesville.

There have been some new faces each year, but there have also been some repeat vendors.

Russell returns as the manager and the vendor. She will again have her popular nap pads for children in daycare and upper grades who take naps at school.

Doug Pepper returns with his homegrown produce. He did say his tomatoes are not ready yet. Pepper will not be at the first week’s market due to an out-of-town conference.

Steve Richardson’s produce stand will be there and represented by a lady named Diane who works for him.

Vicki Gray returns with her birdhouses.

Danny Jones’ woodworking stand will be featured with his vast array of products. Returning with canned and baked goods are Florence Keel and Alma Wilkey.

Nick Walker’s lemonade stand will be there to quench thirsts for those hot afternoons.

From Charleston, Stephanie Strider will have her breads for sale. Someone will have Candy Cane Honey, Russell said.

Gary Walker from Crowder will have his refrigerator magnets and other products.

Also having a produce stand is Rob Jones from Water Valley.

Mary Bridwell of Water Valley will have farm fresh eggs for sale.

Members of the Batesville Garden Club will be on hand with live plants for this first week only, according to Russell. Robin Ridge and others will be there to give away free literature on herbs and recipes. Carol Bullard will give away some plants.

The Batesville Garden Club will be honoring National Garden Week June 2-9.