By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Music, fresh produce and fellowship will be the order of the day starting early Saturday morning in downtown Plymouth when the Farmers’ Market begins its fifth year.

The Market officially opens at 7:30 a.m.  Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter will conduct a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. for the opening day of the season. Music will be provided by Jim Vinall with master gardeners giving away seedling trees and explaining the proper method of planting them. There will also be flowers for Mother’s Day on sale to the kids for 25 cents.
“It’s really kind of amazing the way it’s come together,” said Tom Keb, the Plymouth Farmer’s Market coordinator. “It’s getting so much bigger; it’s also getting to be more to handle – but it’s exciting.”
The Market is a shining example of collaboration between local growers and producers of agricultural products, community organizations, and the city government. All produce at the market is grown within 50 miles of Plymouth and it offers local producers an alternative marketing opportunity.
There is also another opportunity.
“The people,” said Keb. “It’s all about the people and relationships to me. It’s a chance to come together and enjoy what people have to say.
“There is a real family aspect to what happens here. There is a real family camaraderie between vendors going on that’s kind of unbelievable.”
Not-for-profit agencies are also given a chance to contribute through selling of wares and ideas in the marketplace. The agencies receive booth space at the Market free of charge.
Some — The Marshall County Boys & Girls Club, Heart & Hands, and Crossroads — are all involved with the Community Garden with all produce going to supplement the Neighborhood Center Food Pantry.
“We’ll have some new vendors this year — some of them at different times of the year depending on what it is they produce,” said Keb. “And of course, there’s my old stand-bys who’ve been here since the beginning.”