Cascade Farmers Market Undergoing Organization

Local volunteers rallied together this spring, organizing the Cascade Farmers Market sponsored by NorthWestern Energy. Each Friday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, local gardeners and producers will gather in Cascade. Volunteers include Market Master Susie Schmitt, Deputy Market Master Terrie Steiner, Scheduler Raymond Porter, Facilities coordinator Josiah Castellanos, Signage sage Micah Overman and Bookkeeper Jess Porter. The Wedsworth Hall patio and lawn serves as the Market Grounds each week, with the exception of September 6th when the hall is booked for a private event. Booking the hall allows the market to move inside in case of inclement weather.

Several meetings over coffee at The Homestead Café lead the group to incorporate as a Montana Nonprofit, secure a season sponsor, and book the venue. Raymond Porter submitted a proposal to both the Town Council and Wedsworth Hall Memorial Trust Board on Thursday, June 13th, asking for approval to close the street and to place cones along Central to slow traffic.

"A small rag-tag group of volunteers is organizing a Farmers Market in our community," the proposal reads. "Our goals are to promote local food, attract retail shoppers to our main street, and provide a community gathering place where neighbors can meet. After researching what other communities of a similar population, geography, and economy practice, we decided to plan our market as an evening event during harvest season. A later start date gives ample time for local gardeners and hobby farmers to grow popular items like tomatoes, fruit, squash, and flowers."

"Additionally, with our proximity to Great Falls, we want to differentiate from their morning market," Porter continues. "As the season turns from summer to fall, there is an opportunity for winter prepping items to be sold. This could include firewood, jerky, canned fruit, and cider. While locally grown produce is the core of the gathering, we also need to host other attractions to garner customers. This includes live music, community organizations, fine art, food trucks, and a nice park for children to play."

The First Market begins at 5:00pm on Friday, August 2nd.

The invitation prompts community members to join the Missouri River Fly Fishers in celebrating the First Friday of the Cascade Farmers Market. Local artist Sage DuBois is showcasing her photography inside while Tom Catmull strums and sings on the patio at Wedsworth Hall. Papos Tacos serves tasty treats on the street with a variety of vendors offering local produce and handcrafted goods at the inaugural Market.

Each week will feature a different theme including a tomato festival, sourdough bread baking competition, car show, Oktoberfest, and more. On Friday, August 9th, the C.M Russell Museum will showcase the legacy of one of Cascade's most famous residents with a gallery, mini-museum, and pop-up gift shop. The live music lineup includes performances featuring Haeli Allen from Lewistown, Eric Bartz from Great Falls, Travis Yost from Missoula, the Cascade Quartet from the Great Falls Symphony, and other top talent.

"Thank you to NorthWestern Energy for sponsoring our first season," says Porter. "This initial funding helps cover our costs so we can keep the vendor fees low. We still have weekly sponsorships available and will be needing donations from individuals to pay for insurance, booking the hall, and paying the musicians. We will need to raise over one thousand dollars in the coming weeks."

To participate vendors can email cascade.mt.farmers.market@gmail.com. Market Masters Susie Schmitt and Terrie Steiner will open the market each Friday, charging $5 per booth per week.

"We aim on collaborating with different groups - Wedsworth Hall, the library, firefighters, Sheriff, schools, fly fishers, and local businesses. By utilizing the lovely space in our town," says Porter, "we are ensuring local residents, many of whom are new faces, become attached to Wedsworth, the park, and our little main street."