Hightstown Farmers Market Kicks Off Friday

Downtown Hightstown will kick off the fourth annual farmers market on Friday, bringing back many of the booths and entertainment from last summer, while adding more family activities.

Organizers have teamed up with , the and the Parks and Recreation department to show three family-oriented outdoor movies over the course of the summer. The movies will start at 8 p.m., following the farmers market. Although movies are free, organizers ask moviegoers to donate one non-perishable food item to benefit a local food pantry.

The first movie, Dolphin Tale, will be shown June 22, followed by Happy Feet 2 on July 13 and Grease on Aug. 17, according to Tom Muza, one of the farmers market organizers. 

There will also be live music every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. while the vendors are set up in .

“We get a lot of enthusiasm from a lot of high quality vendors,” said Christopher Moraitis, an organizer of the summer event.

Moraitis said the performers are local, mainly from the Hightstown and East Windsor area, and they anticipate up to around 15 vendors, according to Moraitis. 

When the farmers market kicked off four years ago, there was only one farmer who participated, Moraitis said. Since then it has grown and attracts people from around the area.

“I think it’s a testament to the good working team we have,” he said.

Paddleboat rides will also be offered again on , which are administered through Parks and Recreation department volunteers between 6 to 8 p.m., although the hours may vary.

The Hightstown council waved the vendor fee for the market, and the organizers charge $10 per week for vendors, Moraitis said. The money gets put into a pool to go toward the entertainment each week, which is also paid for by the Parks and Recreation department, a sponsor of the market.

With entertainment, paddleboats, movies and vendors, the market wouldn’t be successful without the people who come each week. 

“I want the people of Hightstown to come down and see that there’s a vibrant downtown,” Muza said. “It’s a beautiful space for families and people to come and buy local produce, local products and support their vendors in town.”

The farmers market will run June 8 through Sept. 28 on Friday nights from 4 to 8 p.m. in .

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