The INDEPENDENT, April 1, 2004
Vernonia Country Market
will debut at River Fest
After informal talks, a large
group of people met in early
March and enthusiastically
brainstormed about the possibil-
ities for a vendors market in Ver-
nonia. What emerged from the
discussion was a vision of pro-
viding residents with a venue to
sell produce and hand crafted
products, and an opportunity to
purchase from out-of-town ven-
dors on a regular basis.
The group elected a board
of directors including Marilyn
Nicks, Steve Loders and
Schann Nelson. Two additional
board members were elected,
but have withdrawn from the
board, preferring to participate
only as vendors. The mission,
as established by the board, is
“to provide the community with
the structure and opportunity to
display their talents and wares
to the greater public.” The
group originally selected the
name Vernonia Saturday Mar-
ket then, to avoid confusion
with other Saturday markets,
the name was changed to Ver-
nonia Country Market (VCM)
After consideration of a vari-
ety of spaces and discussion
with city council, the board
chose to locate the market at
Hawkins Park. This site will
provide shade and sun, access
to Rock Creek for recreation,
and will encourage people to
get out of their cars and explore
all that Vernonia has to offer.
The market will operate on the
first and third Saturdays of
each month from River Fest to
Salmon Festival, excluding
Jamboree weekend.
VCM would like to encour-
age a wide variety of family-
friendly vendors to participate.
During Vernonia River Fest
(VRF), all vendors will need to
apply through VCM, even if
previously approved, in order
to assure adequate liability
coverage. Vendor spaces will
range up from card table size.
Emphasis for the market will be
on handcrafted items and
home grown produce of high
quality. Fees for booth space
had not been determined at
press time, but all regular fees
will be waived for the first annu-
al VRF and for the opening day
of VCM, though vendors will be
encouraged to make a dona-
tion to the skate park fund.
VCM vendors are encouraged
to commit to at least half of the
market days over the summer
and will receive a price break
for doing so.
Applications and further in-
formation will be available at a
joint meeting of VCM , VRF and
representatives of Hands on
Art, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Buckhorn Restaurant. Anyone
interested in selling at VCM or
VRF should attend that meet-
ing. Applications will be avail-
able after the meeting at Ver-
nonia City Hall, etcetera and
The INDEPENDENT.
Page 15
Jamboree committee holds an “umbrella” for others
As community-wide events
increase in Vernonia, the role of
the Vernonia Jamboree Com-
mittee has been expanded as it
becomes an umbrella organi-
zation, covering elements
needed for Jamboree, River
Fest, Vernonia Country Market
and the Fall Salmon Festival.
Each event has its own inde-
pendent committee, but some
functions, such as liability in-
surance, will be handled
through the Jamboree Commit-
tee. Profits earned by these
events will be donated to local
projects or charities, as the
Jamboree Committee has done
for many years.
Vernonia Chamber of Com-
merce President Randy Parrow
expressed hopes that, in the
near future, all of these events
will be conducted as an exten-
sion of the chamber’s long-time
mission of improving commer-
cial opportunities in Vernonia.
This eventuality has been dis-
cussed at two Chamber meet-
ings this year and will continue
at the April 14 meeting.
River Fest events include Home
Brew Contest, music and more
From page 1
A Home Brew Contest will
feature tastings of that malty
beverage made by amateur
brewers. Brett Costley will be
supervising the event; he may
be contacted at <http://home.
agalis.net/bcostley/vrfbc>.
Should go well with the chili!
There will be nominal entry
fees for the Chili Cook-Off,
Brew Contest and May Pole.
Other activities will include a
beer garden in Hawkins Park,
music from live bands, the Ver-
nonia String Orchestra and a
deejay. Heritage Bakery will be
providing treats and ball teams
will be selling sausage and
kraut.
T-shirts for this first annual
event can be purchased at Ver-
nonia Mercantile, Sentry Mar-
ket and, in Banks, at Banks
Precision Outdoor Power
Equipment.
Vernonia Country Market will
also open for the season on
May 1, joining the fun at Haw-
kins Park with vendors selling
fresh produce and handcrafted
merchandise. See article above
for more information on vendor
requirements.
UN LI M IT ED
5 6K I N T E RN E T
For information call
5 03 - 42 9 -2 70 1
www.agalis.net
Open 8 - 5pm Monday - Friday; 8 - 3pm Saturday
185 W. MAIN EXTENSION • HILLSBORO • 503-648-4178