Red-Ribbon Opening for Collegeville Farmers Market

The had its official summer opening Saturday.

The day kicked off with speeches from Cathy Kernen and Sen. John Rafferty. Kernen thanked everyone who helped take the market from concept to reality; Rafferty praised the market for serving local growers.

"Agriculture is still the No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania," Rafferty said.

Those who helped with the ribbon cutting are the following: Arlene Margaral, Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, Gene Zavarik, Keystone Grange, Trappe Mayor Connie Peck, Market supporter Larry Hoak and the State Farm Good Neigh BEAR, Farmers’ Market Manager Julia Bull,  Collegeville Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) Board member Ken Schaefer, Borough Council and CEDC Board member Andrea Baptiste, Farmers’ Market Committee member Bill Zerillo,  Ursinus Environmental Studies Professor and Farmers’ Market Committee member Richard Wallace, CEDC President Debbie Riegner (cutting ribbon), CEDC Board member Jonathan Rinde, Collegeville Mayor Al Stagliano, CEDC Board Member Cheryl Marple,  Main Street Manager Linda Flederbach, PA Rep. Mike Vereb, CEDC Board member Rev. Martha Kriebel, and PA Sen. John Rafferty.

Twenty vendors lined the lot behind AmeriGreen Gas Station and area residents strolled the area as they shopped for locally grown produce and handmade goods.