The Nederland Farmers Market is back for the Fourth of July weekend, and will be bigger than ever in anticipation of the holiday and vendor turnout.

“We are increasing our market with 65 vendors. Usually we have about 35. We’re closing down East 2nd Street and we have a stage as we do for Harvest Fest, to the looker’s left of the veterinary clinic. We have a couple of big acts,” said Stephanie Andelman, who has been working to coordinate the market, music, and fun for families. Eldora is sponsoring the stage this year.

“About four years ago I got involved on a seasonal basis helping with marketing, music, organization, and the back end, and really brought it up a level during the pandemic to make the entire Peak to Peak community aware of our offerings, and getting people to come on a regular basis.”

The market became a nonprofit in 2016, and has a market every other Sunday. The culmination is October 2, also known as Harvest Fest.

Based on Harvest Fest over the past several years, we decided as a market to have an expanded event on July 3 as well,” she explained. The market started organizing early this year, with about a month of promotion before the big event.

Augustina’s Winery, Gold Dirt Distillery, Very Nice Brewery, Busey Brews, and Howlin’ Wind will provide adult beverages to accompany the professionally produced music. The tunes begin shortly after the market begins at 10 a.m.

Chuck Sicario, band leader, singer, and guitar player of High Lonesome, will play from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can expect some speedy, jam-grassy bluegrass from Sicario, with the old-school mountain music influence. At 12:30 p.m., Beans and Friends, of The Magic Beans fame, are headed to the stage. Fresh off of the annual Beanstalk event, the band and their friends will play their stylized jam-fusion music. Nederland is close to the band’s heart, as some of its members hail from the town and area.

“We just know that the magic of Beans and Friends will bring the crowd, and we trust the Nederland community to give it that homegrown feeling of fun,” Andelman smiled.

Fun for younger attendees is planned as well. Wild Bear will have some fun activities for children, and a live petting zoo will be held for the first time. Baby goats and other small animals are to be featured.

Andelman noted the colors of red, white, and blue will likely be seen throughout the market, and highlighted the annual Fourth of July Parade to follow on Monday. The procession will head up East 1st Street, across Snyder, then down East 2nd Street.

“As far as the vendors go, we have several fresh produce vendors. The Farmers Market has its own booth, and they curate the best vegetables and fruits available. We go to the local farms to pick them up. Switch Gears Farm also has a booth, and for the expanded markets, it will be a larger booth with more produce available,” said Andelman. She then mentioned that even more produce vendors will be there. “This is all about bringing it home, bringing it local, and growing fresh.”

The market has an important purpose as a local nonprofit and community cornerstone event. Andelman says that many come during the bigger events for support of the vendors, and “a really heartfelt, homegrown festival atmosphere.”

Succulents as well as other plants, vases, stain-infused glass vendors, herbals from local apothecaries, homemade pet foods, confections, and much more will be offered. “You’ll see vendors that you don’t see at any market other than the July 3 and October 2 expanded markets,” Andelman said. “Please come walk around, support the vendors, and see your neighbors.”

The Nederland Farmer’s Market is located at 80 E.2nd Street, Nederland. For more information or to get involved, visit www.nederlandfarmersmarket.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NederlandFarmersMarket.