By Sue Moore
Grab your partner and do-si-do at the Round Peg Square Dance, sponsored by the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the community pavilion.
The Celery City Sodbusters will be playing music starting at 7 p.m. and calling square dances for this old-fashioned shindig, said Stella Shearer, market board president. There will be square dancing instructions for the first half hour, included in the $5 ticket price for those who would like to brush up on their dancing skills.
The many customers who love the Farmers’ Market will find this chance to support the extras that the market offers by attending the fundraiser, Shearer said. Square dancers can have a great time harkening back to the days when families would get together for food, fun, and to tap their toes to some good old barn dance music, Shearer pointed out.
Besides, it’s for a good cause. The market wants to expand its offering to children who are trying to eat their veggies and adults who are learning easy ways to prepare them. Kids’ Plate will be the beneficiary of the donations. This is a program that Carol LaFrance and Penny Allen started when the market was still headquartered at the Bobby’s location. Each month, the vendors have been asked to donate fruits or vegetables that are in season. Kids’ Plate gives hands-on opportunities to children who come with their parents to the market. They can see how to prepare food they thought they would never eat, and then how great it tastes when they sample it after fixing it themselves. LaFrance also started Eating Healthy on a Budget to demonstrate the many ways to conserve precious dollars while learning to like fresh vegetables.
Special food for the evening will be offered by Beginnings from Schoolcraft, which was a market vendor for several years. The menu includes a pulled pork sandwich dinner for $9, two pulled pork sliders for $9, a smoked chicken one quarter leg for $8, two smoked brats or two hot dogs for $6. They all come with two sides: coleslaw, potato salad or chips. A kids’ meal for 12 and under includes one hot dog, chips and soda and costs $5. A donation for draft beer and red or white wine will be accepted.
Sponsors for the event include the Mike and Sharon Seelye Foundation, Thad Reeder Automotive, KEPCO Manufacturing, Oswalt Electric and Classic Mortgage.