FARMERS SELL STAPLES AT DOWNTOWN PAVILION

When the fervor of Riverfest '93 dies down the booths dismantled, the streets cleaned and Cape Girardeau returns to its daily business area farmers and gardeners will return to the riverfront.

The weekend after Riverfest marks the beginning of the second annual Downtown Merchants' Farmers Market.

Every Friday and Saturday morning farmers will bring their home-grown fruits and vegetables and area gardeners their fresh-cut flowers to sell at stands under the downtown pavilion. The vendors can use the space at no cost.

"The market may start a little bit later this year because of all the rain we've had," said Evelyn Boardman, coordinator of the Farmer's Market. "You might even see some strawberries the first couple of weekends."

The Downtown Merchants Association first sponsored the Farmer's Market last year after the pavilion was built at Main and Independence. The association undertook the project in keeping with its efforts at downtown redevelopment and restoration of the historical district.

"The market gives a historical theme an open air market, farmers selling their wares straight off the truck. It blends in with what we are trying to do down here," Boardman said.

The merchants come and go as they please, Boardman said. Most set up shop at about 8 a.m. and leave by noon or 1 p.m.

"At the height of the harvest season, we had about 30 vendors last year," Boardman said.

There is space to have 50-75 vendors at one time under and around the pavilion.

Farmers come to the market from all over Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, but a large number also come from within or just outside Cape Girardeau.

"We have a lot of flower-growers in Cape Girardeau who bring beautiful flowers to the market," Boardman said. "There are also people who have planted too much in their gardens and come to sell the excess."

The merchants' association advertises to buyers and sellers alike throughout the growing season.

"We had a lot of people come out and buy the fresh fruits and produce last year," Boardman said. "And we hope to draw even more this year."