Come to the Hebron Farmers and Crafters Market

We in Hebron, Connect cherish our summers and outdoor events.  From Hebron Day to the Hebron Harvest Fair, there are so many events that take place in this town (no, it's not always that boring Connecticut town with nothing to do, contrary to the belief of many residents).  Part of enjoying your hometown is getting involved in your local community, and one way you can get involved is by attending our Local Farmers and Crafters Markets.

Bogue Farms vendor

Nonnie's Gourmet Pies

Some may envision these markets as a smaller version of Hebron Day, leading up to the Hebron Harvest Fair.  While that may be true, the Farmers and Crafters markets are all about our local businesses within our Hebron community and surrounding towns.  There are several of these markets throughout the summer, and they are a fun Saturday morning event that includes food, music, and vendors.  One way you can enjoy your summer here in Hebron, CT is to come to our local Farmers and Crafters Markets.  The Farmers Market has existed for some time in the Hebron community.  In the recent past, the markets have been sponsored and hosted by different groups within the Hebron community.  Now, for the past two years, Hebron Parks and Recreation hosts the event.  Rich Marzi, alongside Hebron Parks and Recreation staff have done a fantastic job preparing vendors and organizing the event.

Activity at the Farmers Market (music playing in background)

The Hebron Farmers Market takes place on various Saturday mornings (usually two a month, first and third Saturdays) throughout the summer in the Hebron Elementary School parking lot on 92 Church Street.  So far, we’ve had three Farmers Markets, two in June and one in July.  The remaining Farmers Markets events are scheduled for 8/3, 8/17, 9/14, and 9/28 from 9 AM to 12 PM.

The Hebron Farmers Market has local farmers, crafters, and several other vendors. The last market had nothing short of variety, including more than 20 vendors.  Some of these vendors have come to multiple Farmers Markets, while others joined in for the first time.  The vendors included fresh fruits, clothes, crafts, ice cream, and food trucks.  Additionally, musicians performed for entertainment.

The greatest part about the market is that all of these vendors are local to our community.  Some of the list of vendors and businesses that were present at the 7/13 Farmers Market include:

• Audra Casella
• Black Cate White Dog
•  Bogue Farms
• Cambera Farm
• Classic Scoop
• Colchester Curry House
• East Willow Farm
• Hartford Courant
• Home Prep Products
• Jeanne Z- Nanna’s Knitty
• Melzen Pet Supply
• Mike N. Harvest Grove Farms
• Granny’s Pie
• Simply Soy
• Soaps for Days
• White Oak Candle
• Wholly Goat Farm
• Wilkinson Farm
• Nana’s Pies
• Hebron Fire Department
• Creative Living

The Classic Scoop Ice Cream

Black Cat White Dog Farm

Purses and other items for sale 

Hebron Fire Department

A food truck

Harvest Grove Farm

Home Prep Products

Walking dogs by the Classic Scoop Ice Cream

Melzen's Pet Supply

Micro Greens

Lots of necklaces for sale

Pies for life

Simply Soy

Soaps for Days

Lots of tie-dye shirts

Wooden made welcome signs

Wholly Goat Farm

Wilkinson Farm

And still there’s more that may have not been listed here and/or have participated in earlier Farmers Markets events (I apologize if I missed your business.  Please send an email to hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com if you aren’t mentioned here and I will add you to the list).  Still more may come for the later markets in August and September.  It was interesting to see so many local vendors throughout Hebron and surrounding towns.  Not every market is exclusively from Hebron; however, the markets are all local and supporting our town and local community by participating at the event.  Still, some of the vendors have participated in order to get residents in our community involved, like The Hebron Fire Department, who held a booth at the Farmers Market in order to recruit new volunteers.

These vendors are here for our town and for the residents of Hebron, Connecticut.  I recommend that everyone come out and support our local businesses and our community.  It is through local businesses that we grow as a town and create a thriving community.  An event like this puts Hebron on the map, as local vendors have traveled from Bolton, Middletown, Manchester, Glastonbury and several other towns in order to share their businesses.  You may even run into people you know- a few of our Board of Selectmen members even showed up in attendance to check out the community and local vendors!  

These Farmers Markets are a perfect event for the summer months, especially if you're feeling extra lazy on a Saturday morning.  I urge everyone to come and have a great time.  Our Farmers Market on August 3rd will be very special because it will include a musical performance from the singer and songwriter, Emily Hope.  Hear her perform between 10 AM and 12 PM.  Also come to support our community and see our vendors between 9 AM and 12 PM.  It is always great to support our local businesses, so please come to the market to enjoy your Saturday morning!

For more information, visit the Facebook page for Hebron Farmers Markets: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1076204862569257/

https://www.facebook.com/Hebron.Farmers.Market.CT/

Hebron's 4th of July Celebration

Happy Independence Day everyone.

Hebron residents gather at the green in front of the Old Town Hall to share in the Independence Day festivities. 

Today we had a special event sponsored by TTCP (The Town Center Project).  Hebron residents came together at the Old Town Hall to celebrate our nation's 243rd birthday.  This is the second annual celebration of the Fourth of July in Hebron, CT sponsored by TTCP.  The event was held in front of the Old Town Hall, which is the building owned and maintained by the Hebron Historical Society.

Hebron residents participate in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Fourth of July Celebration in front of the Old Town Hall.

In lieu of the holiday, there were a series of speakers, singers, and a poet.  John Collins, one of the First Selectmen, took to the podium to kick us off with the event at 9 AM this morning, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and the reading of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  TTCP was prepared, offering booklets containing the Declaration of Independence, as well as song packets for residents to bring in the holiday through singing patriotic songs.

For the event, TTCP offered refreshments, mini flags, a packet that included American songs, and booklets that included the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Danielle Golden, a senior at RHAM High School sang her phenomenal rendition of the National Anthem, to which John Collins acknowledged and mentioned it was "one of the best renditions of the National Anthem I had heard."

Danielle Golden (center) is featured here, singing the National Anthem.  John Collins is standing behind her to the right.

David Rose as William Williams, read the Declaration, along with three Boy Scouts: James Abu-Rahmeh, Ben Sullivan, and Triston Emmons.

David Rose, as William Williams, reads the Declaration of Independence.  Two Boy Scouts stand in the background.

After the Declaration was read, Tom Brancato of the American Legion Post 95 gave his remarks, which was then followed by "Americana in Song," led by Florence O'Sullivan and Dan Hollenbeck on keyboard.  Together, the Hebron residents sang several patriotic songs including "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "America the Beautiful," and "God Bless America."

Tom Brancato, of American Legion 95, shares
his remarks during the celebration

Florence O'Sullivan (right) leads the residents in song with Dan Hollenbeck (left) on keyboard

Hebron residents join in singing patriotic songs

After leading in song, Larry Zimmerman, a local resident and author, shared his patriotism by reading a poem he had written for the event.

Lastly, Judy Podell spoke about patriotism and TTCP's efforts to recognize Hebron ancestors and where Hebron residents had come from before ending up in Hebron.  Judy acknowledged that some residents may have been here for years while others have been in town for two weeks, but no matter the difference, everyone comes from somewhere.  TTCP had created a map with various pins on it that recognize the heritage of individuals.

Larry Zimmerman, a Hebron resident and
author, shares his poetry

The red pins are people who had participated in the survey, which was held earlier at various points throughout town.  The red pins are placed where the participants claimed they were from.  The white pins are where the participants' parents were from, and the blue pins recognize where the participants' grandparents immigrated from.  As the map showed, many of the participants' ancestors and relatives had immigrated from Europe, though there were other places marked by indicators as well.

John Collins then spoke again to wrap up the event and kick off our nation's holiday.  He had mentioned that attendance had doubled from last year's event and he hoped that the attendance would continue to climb as the event continues throughout the years.  The celebration of the 4th of July was an event that really brought several Hebron groups together to share in our nation's holiday, and it will be great to see it grow throughout the years as we celebrate our town, our nation, our heritage, and our American patriotism.

The world map with pins placed where Hebron residents came from

Mal Leichter, a volunteer for CVC, had filmed the event.  The event can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJgI1QyrKqs

Additionally, if you'd like to help prepare events in Hebron, such as the Independence Celebration, consider joining TTCP (The Town Center Project).  Take a look at the Facebook page and contact Judy Podell if interested. See here: https://www.thetowncenterproject.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/towncenterprojectinc/

TTCP has other events planned throughout the year, such as the Summer Concert Series and The Harvest Moon Festival in October.  TTCP is always looking for help with these events, as well as with new and fresh ideas to "put feet on the street" and make Hebron a fun and lively town that everyone can enjoy.

If you missed this event, please watch the video (once posted) and plan to attend next year to support Hebron, Connecticut and bring in our nation's birthday.  If you have any other stories about Hebron you would like to share, you are welcome to post below and/or email at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.