As the Redmond Farmers Market season closes to an end in its first year of new ownership, vendors and market shoppers are already looking forward to next season.

Since June 21, the market vendors sold local produce, meat, plants, flowers, crafts, jewelry and more at Centennial Park each Friday. Its final day of the season is set for Sept. 27.

A new team of organizers organized the market this year — three Redmond sisters who said they wanted to reinvigorate the event after years of declining interest and

Emma Meyers, Meg Meyers and Lily Lapp decided at the last minute to take charge, once they found out no one else was planning market for the 2024 season.

“My favorite part is just making connections with vendors and the community,” Emma Meyers said. “We had a lot of regulars and weekly vendors.”

The sisters plan on hosting next year’s market season again.

On average, the market had roughly 30 vendors a week, but the exact number ranged from 18 to 42 depending on what was in season and what makers turned up. That which was significantly more than last year, Emma Meyers said.

Sales and foot traffic varied, she said.

“I believe it was overall better than expected for most of our vendors,” Emma Meyers said.

Briar Kemper sells homemade herbal infused salves, essential oil blends, candles, deodorants, body butters with nontoxic ingredients as Wild River Rose. She also occasionally sells honey from her friend’s beehives.

Kemper started making her products in 2016 and in the last few years, she’s upped her advertising and appearances at markets. Kepmer said business and community engagement was better at the Redmond market than her other stops at Bend’s Wild Bird Market, Schilling’s Garden Market and other temporary holiday events.

“People reach out to me, ask me if I’m going to be here next week, and I get repeat customers,” Kemper said.

Kemper has high hopes that next year’s Redmond market will be even better.

She said the previous owners did not advertise and support the gathering. But Kemper said she hopes the sisters will continue to manage it, leading to “a snowball effect” and continued growth.

McTrimble Preserves, another vendor, appreciates the flexibility the market offered.

“It’s nice to be able to choose dates, not have to commit to the whole season,” Erin Trimble said. “(I sell) about once a month, trying to squeeze between vacations and summer break with my kids.”

Trimble said the sisters have kept the season well organized and “the publicity has been great and Emma has been amazing to work with.”

McTrimble Preserves sells homemade preserves, including golden raspberry pear and marionberry jams. Trimble has made and sold her preserves for five years.

Looking ahead

The sisters said next year they want to better promote the market as a hangout spot, not necessarily a shop-and-dash event.

“We’re hoping next year to do more workshops and interactive activities,” Emma Meyers said.

Meyers noted they had one workshop this year led by Madras Garden Depot. Representatives taught the community about region-specific plants, gardening skills and more.

Emma Meyers said she hopes to bring in more farms and producers next year “to stay true to the farmer’s roots.”

She wants the market to be a main source for fresh food and local ingredients.

“We want to support farmers,” Emma Meyers said. “It’s important to have fresh local produce.”