Summer Market Opens Today

The ever-popular Summer Market is readying for next week, when it will once present a lakeside summer event that features the hard-to-find together the unique on July 26, 27 at Veterans Memorial Park in Avon Lake.

The collection of unique and eclectic vendors from Ohio and beyond has become a summer destination in itself, drawing more than 5,000 over a two-day period last year. Organizers Kristen Weeden and Erin Stack spend a good portion of the finding vendors that meet their strict criteria.

“We have several new vendors this year,” Stack said. “A few of them include Sweetie Fry from Chagrin Falls, Two Bucks from Avon, both bringing food. The Pink Eyed Sissies from Michigan bringing whimsical, handcrafted jewelry. The Wood Loft from Elyria will be bringing furniture and wine racks made from reclaimed barn wood, cedar fences and old shipping crates.”

Also new this year is The Blue Cupboard from Erie, Pennsylvania is bringing architectural, antique and vintage items. Wolff Paw Pottery from Akron is bringing functional, wheel thrown ceramic pieces.”

Thanks to the markets well-honed reputation, Stack said that vendors come to them.

“We launch an online application in January, we jury the applications in February and by March we have our list posted,” she said. “We do keep about five spaces open for those vendors that we may find throughout the year. We attend several festivals in Ohio throughout the year and we usually find someone to bring our way.”  

The 65 vendors will span from the Avon Lake Boat Club to the east end of Veterans Park.

Food will be available at the fair.

Cafe Melissa, Sweet Basil, Two Bucks, Sweet! the Mobile Cupcakery, Humble Pie Bakery, Sweetie Fry, Woolson Concessions, The Sweet Spot and Woolson Concessions will sell food.

Both Weeden and Stack said that it is their daughters—each has four girls—who motivate them.

“Our favorite part of the Summer Market is watching our girls, all eight of them--take part in the weekend.  They are up at the crack of dawn and ready to go.  In fact, they talk about the Summer Market all year.”

Stack said the girls have built friendships with vendors and enjoy seeing their friends and family visit the park. They are extremely passionate about the Gift of Home project and know that everything that happens at the Market will benefit our cause.  It is an exciting weekend for both of our families.

Gift of Home will again be the recipient of some of the non-profit Girls Give Back organization

In February 2013 the organization completed its first Gift of Home. After a weekend away, families will return home to a fresh, clean home with new household items and an overall sense of comfort and coziness.

The organization is expecting to again give a Gift of Home this year. Click here to see pictures from last year’s project.

The Summer Market is open from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.