By CHAD ABSHIRE

Staff Writer

With approximately 500 customers served in a span of seven hours, yesterday’s Farmers Market, held on Third Avenue in Williamson, was a rousing success.

Farmers from across the area came to the city in the hopes of selling their produce. They had no problem in reducing the numbers of their stock.

“When we opened at 9 a.m., we already had customers,” Dorothy Stewart told the Daily News. “We didn’t have time to label and price everything. We’ve been so busy.”

Stewart represents the Wayne County Farmers Market.

“We have a lot of farmers who sell through consignment, because I know most of them would rather be working,” Stewart said. “And it works.”

She pointed at two large watermelons sitting on the table in front of her.

“I picked these out of the field just this morning.”

This was Williamson’s third Farmers Market this year, and it has been well received by the community, Stewart said.

It’s been so successful that Helen Ann Stanley, of Williamson, said, “I’d like to eventually do this full time. It’s been so much fun.”

“People have been real nice and supportive, real good hospitality,” Ray Smith, of Kimper, said. “Even the other farmers were friendly.”

Besides the goods on sale, Glen Simpson, a musician, came to play music during yesterday’s Market.

“I’ve been really impressed with the numbers, people have been in and out all day,” Simpson said.

Even the Mayor of Williamson, Darrin McCormick, was in attendance, saying that the Market has been a “true success,” and that he is “excited about the growth and the future of the King Coal Market.”

Zach Becket, Williamson Farmers Market Research and Outreach Coordinator, told the Daily News that yesterday “was a great market.”

“It’s great for the city to have an event where it’s drawing people into town for local food,” Beckett said. “It means a lot to local farmers to have support.”

But the Farmers Market hasn’t peaked yet, it hasn’t reached it’s full potential. But it’s getting close, so at least one farmer thinks.

Doug Dudley, of Burnwell, Ky., said that the Farmers Market “needs to grow, but it’s doing well. It needs more grower participation.”

If anyone is interested in participating in a Farmers Market, contact Beckett at (304) 236-5423.

“We hope to continue to identify local producers and give them opportunities to sell,” Beckett said.

The next Farmers Market will be held Sept. 17, again on Third Avenue and running from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.