Weather Alternative
The official forecast is too gloomy, so we do not plan to participate in the predicted storminess and rainfall. Grab an umbrella if you’re pessimistic and head on out to gather your share of the Jersey Fresh.
We Counted!
If you missed the Grand Opening last week, you could probably still claim to have been there. Who would know in a record-breaking crowd of more than 4500?
Attention, New Participants!
These instructions will help insure a smooth arrival and setup during what can be a hectic hour. We’ll offer directions and general instructions for the first three weeks of May to help orient new guest vendors and other participants.
Study your location
- Further down this post you will find the site plans for opening day SAT MAY 06.
- The first farm vendors arrive at 6am. You are welcome to arrive with them.
- Arrive no later than 7am. You need to be ready to meet the public at 8am.
- David will be on site wearing red sweatshirt and/or jacket and a Market cap.
- Find David or text him to let him know you’ve arrived.
- Text, don’t call, (856) 979-6653
If you’re on the North side of the Market (spaces 1-49)
- DO NOT drive into the Market at all.
- You’ll park briefly alongside the parking meters on the north side to unload.
Be Smart when you park.
Don’t command a parking space that shoppers can turn over a dozen times.
- David will have Vendor Parking Passes for you
- Park in the Lumberyard Garage for free
- Saving spaces for shoppers means more of them will visit your tent and table.
- Don’t be late, but text ahead if you’re going to be late.
- Text me: (856) 979-6653.
- If you must call instead of texting, please remember, when I answer, I will be busy with someone who’s on time.
- Remain patient.
Look for the chalk
- Market space numbers are marked with chalk on the pavement.
- Market spaces are parking space dimensions, 10 feet wide by 16 feet deep.
- Under the Speedline, we follow the diagonal parking space lines.
- On the north side, we “square off” the diagonals.
- The Market provides space only.
- Bring your own tables and tents.
- May can be windy; tents require weights for safety.
- Plan your displays so that your products don’t fall or blow away.
Actual Forecast SAT MAY 13.
RAIN AND WIND. Deny it we may, but a 100% chance of precipitation for the entire morning is hard to ignore. Winds pick up as the day goes on. Kindly remember our weather policy. The Market is open unless the Governor of New Jersey declares a weather state of emergency for Camden County.
Site Plan for SAT MAY 13
We’ve already posted this to Facebook . Here’s your chance to see it too! 🙂
NEW Vendors
Garden State Juice, Blueberry Fields Soap, and John & Kira’s Chocolate will attend the Market for the first time this season. They’re returning vendors from prior years, but they missed our opening day.
BID Vendors
Dulce Artisanal Pastries will make its second appearance at our Market. Regular vendors Villa Barone, Cheese Etc., Charlie’s Crepes, Blue Moon Olive Oils & Vinegars, and Sara’s Produce will round out the roster at the BID section.
Guest Vendors
- Woods Edge Wool Farms (Alpaca wool & honey)
- Chloe’s Crème Puffs—Brand New!
- Buck Wild Bison—Brand New!
- Garden State Juice Company—First time this season!
- Blueberry Fields Soap
- MECHA Artisan Chocolate
- John & Kira’s Chocolate
- Blue Moon Olive Oils & Vinegars
Official Market Bloggers
BISONS AND SIDES
- Susan Mauer Lynch (Yellow Room Upstairs) features spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, and pullet eggs in her post, but the entrée is bison from our new vendor Buck Wild Bison. See her post here.
CHOPSTICK ASPARAGUS
- Denine Gorniak (The Bicycle-Chef) came up with a new way to enjoy all this early asparagus! Mix with spinach and soba noodles, top with a fried egg! See her post here.
Featured Artist
Evelyn Taylor Designs. Featuring a wide variety of handmade decorative ceramics, Evelyn Taylor Designs specializes in unique jewelry, ornaments, pottery, and tiles created in her Collingswood studio.
http://www.facebook.com/evelyntaylordesigns
Music SAT MAY 06
DAVE KELLY MAKES STRINGED THINGS SING. Dave is back for the second week in a row at the west stage. Last year, he added the lap steel guitar to the long list of stringed things he can make sing.
EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE CARUSO since Enrico died. Sam Caruso commands the East Stage Music Tent sponsored by Collingswood Music. Stop by and make him feel less soggy.
Dog Tent SAT MAY 06
ALMOST HOME SHELTER
The wonderful people at Almost Home will staff the Dog Tent this year with information, donation collections, volunteer opportunities, adoptable animals.
Maple, adoptable 1-year-old pitbull mix
They will also operate the “Official Market Leash” program that for several seasons has eliminated the presence of troublesome misbehavers while at the same time respecting the rights of well-behaved animals and their handlers to enjoy the Market.
Small Bills and a Bathroom Key
Many of you know, but for those of you who don’t, I carry small bills for vendors who run out of singles during the Market day. For guest vendors who might not be aware, I also have a key to Perkins Art Center, a Market sponsor, the primary benefit of which, for our vendors is INDOOR PLUMBING!
Location for New Participants
The Market is not a permanent structure with a street address. It’s a section of pavement between Haddon Avenue and the High-Speed PATCO train to Philadelphia known as the Speedline. It sets up Saturday mornings from the first of May until the Saturday before Thanksgiving, from 8am until noon, and by 2pm the only way to identify the location is by the sponsor banners flying from the utility poles.
Using Google Maps?
For mapping purposes, use 713 North Atlantic Avenue, Collingswood as an address. That’s actually the Collingswood Police Station, but it’s the closest named building.
LINK TO GOOGLE MAPS
The market is located in Collingswood’s flourishing downtown business district, situated only 10 minutes from Center City Philadelphia by car and by PATCO Hi-Speedline.
The Towers. Once you get close, the Market can be found easily by looking up—for 2 water towers. The Market occupies the parking lot near the base of the two blue water towers in the center of town.
They’ve just been repainted. So, in case the Collingswood Logo isn’t in place yet, look for something like the photos on the right.
Near Directions
- If you enter town on Haddon Avenue, turn right onto Collings Avenue at the traffic light in the middle of town, then left into the entrance to the Community Center just before you reach the Speedline.
- If you enter town on Collings Avenue, make a right turn into the entrance to the Community Center, just after coming under the Speedline.
- If you enter town on PATCO, exit the turnstiles and head left, which is west, in the direction of Philadelphia. Walk along the PATCO tracks for about a block and a half and you will see the Market.
From the Ben Franklin Bridge
You will take Admiral Wilson Blvd. (30/676) to 30/130 south (the PUB is a landmark at the ramp)
Go thru the light at the Cooper River Golf driving range, past cemetery, and keep an eye to your right for a Dunkin Donuts.
Make the right at the Dunkin Donuts corner onto Haddon Ave, BUT keep right to jughandle around UNDER 130 and up onto Haddon Ave into Collingswood. (There is a sign “Welcome to Collingswood”)
Drive through first light (Browning Rd. intersection). At second light (Collings Avenue), turn right. You’re practically there.
Turn right onto Collings Avenue and turn left into the Community Center (past the fire hall). Stay to the right and follow the traffic or park immediately.
Look up. You’ll see two blue water towers. The Market is in the same lot.
This should be about 7 minutes drive from Ben Franklin in Saturday morning traffic.
Parking
- PATCO Collingswood Station parking along Atlantic Ave. extends right up to the Irvin Avenue entrance of the Market and is ample and free.
- Free street parking along the Market section of Atlantic Avenue and neighboring streets.
- Free parking in lots just north of the Market both west and east of the Police station.
- Kiosk and meter parking along Haddon Avenue.
- Kiosk parking in the Lumberyard Garage on Collings Avenue across from the Community Center.
VENDOR PARKING PERMITS
It’s good business to save the best parking spaces for SHOPPERS! Most visitors will tell you it’s tough to find parking at the Market. We make things worse by parking our own vehicles in spaces that could be used and re-used many times by shoppers. Please encourage your table crew to park for free in the Lumberyard Parking Garage (just across Collings Avenue from the west entrance). There are plenty of spaces inside, and the walk back to the Market takes 3 minutes.
Flexible Site Plan
Changes will continue to occur throughout the season as vendors come and go and as we learn more about how neighbors interact. I remind you no spaces are ever guaranteed and require your cooperation if I have to move your location any given week.
THANK YOU
David Hodges, Market Director
Home Office (856) 854-8385
Market Day Cell Phone (856) 979-6653
Farm Marketeer 
