Farmers’ Market, First on Front events return for summer

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

Some favorite summer activities are making their seasonal comeback in Monett, including the weekly farmers’ market and monthly concerts. 

The Monett Area Farmer’s Market opened for the season on May 3, continuing every Saturday with some new local vendors at the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion.

Making his business debut at the market, Monett local Jared Gilliam brewed up his fresh ground, Refuge brand coffee on the spot. 

Gilliam grew up in Monett and has always had an affinity for coffee, but it was when his uncle gave him green coffee beans at 13 years old to experiment with that he began to truly appreciate the bean and the work that goes into making it into the coffee we drink.

Gilliam said he aims to bring single-source, specialty coffees to the Monett area. 

“We want to show Monett the flavors that coffee can actually bring; not just what you get at the store but the natural flavors that come from coffee,” he said.

Bringing home-baked sourdough loaves and sweet treats to the market, Cassville resident Melissa Ewton said the weekly event has helped her become more connected with her community. 

Ewton said she and her husband moved to the Barry County 3-1/2 years ago following his work and had no friends or relatives in the area. 

She began selling her goods at the farmers market last year as a way to get out of the house and connect with other Barry County residents. 

Ewton said they have found the area very welcoming and “laid back” compared to the fast pace of their previous home in Oregon, and they enjoy getting know their neighbors through the market. 

The Monett Area Farmer’s Market will be hosted at the pavilion every Saturday from 9 a.m to noon through September.

Also beginning the first weekend in May, locals were invited to enjoy live music in the evening at this year’s “First on Front” concert series kickoff also held at the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion.

The June event is set to be held on June 6, and the July event will — for the first time ever — be held in the Cassville South Park on July 11. 

The kick-off event in May featured local favorites, The Ricochet Band, Uncertain Henry and The Current Classic.