Tomorrow, Saturday, August 13, the Bardstown Road Farmers Market in the parking lot of the Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church at 1722 Bardstown Rd., will celebrate its 25th anniversary. To help celebrate that occasion, the market will hold a Grand Watermelon Tasting Challenge, among other celebratory events.
Long-time Bardstown Road market farmer/purveyor Charles Hambley of Hambley Farms, who claims he grows the best watermelon in town, has issued a challenge to all farmers in Louisville. Any farmer is invited to enter a watermelon into a tasting contest, to be judged by a celebrity panel and by popular vote. There will also be a watermelon spitting contest for all kids.
Among the other notable events Saturday will be a press conference announcing the distribution of grant money from Community Farm Alliance to four farmers markets in Louisville. This money goes into the Double Dollars program, which the markets will use to double the purchases of SNAP recipients. For instance, if someone uses a SNAP card to make a $5 purchase, this fund will match that $5, giving a total of $10 to spend on fresh produce. The participating markets are Bardstown Road, Phoenix Hill, Gray Street, and the new South Points Farmers Market. The press conference is set for 10 a.m.
There will also be music, kids’ face painting, and all kids will receive a $5 voucher to spend on fresh produce of their choosing.
