Each year, Bristow Artisans and Gardeners Market, BAGM, opens for business in May and remains open through September on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.The market offers the community locally grown and produced plants, food, art, and handcrafted goods.This year, the market will open Saturday, May 4.
In preparation for its quickly advancing opening day, BAGM representatives were seen erecting the BAGM banner along North Main Street. Additionally, BAGM will host a vendor meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, in the Tractor Supply parking lot to the west of Charlie’s Chicken. Paid and prospective vendors are invited and encouraged to attend, and vendor applications and fees will be accepted at the meeting. Vendor forms may be found on and downloaded from the organization’s Facebook page and will be available at the meeting. Last year, more than 50 vendors joined BAGM, and the organization hopes for good vendor turnout this year as well.
As for the vendor fees, BAGM charges a seasonal vendor fee of $35 or a one-time vendor set up fee of $15. Vendor fees may be paid by check or cash and are required prior to setting up a booth with the market. BAGM representatives noted the fees prove to be some of the lowest in the state. In fact, setting the affordable fees lower helps the market accomplish one of its core purposes in assuring that locally produced foods and goods remain affordable and accessible for purchase by the community.
In addition to offering healthy, locally produced foods such as meats, bread, dairy, fruits and veggies, and more for the benefit of the community, BAGM utilizes vendor fees to aid local charitable causes each year in the form of a donation. Last year’s charitable donation was made to the Bristow Public Schools’ Nutrition Program, helping to reduce student lunch account arrears, further fulfilling the market’s purpose of feeding Bristowans’ hearts and minds.
For more information or to submit an inquiry, interested parties may email Bristow Artisans and Gardeners Market at bristowmarket@ gmail.com or message via its Facebook page.