Families to celebrate final Summer Reading Farmers Market of the season Saturday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – This Saturday marks the final day of the Summer Reading Farmers Market at the SoKY Center, capping off a season that blended local food, family fun, and a love of reading.

The market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 26, offering fresh produce, handcrafted goods, food trucks, live music, and themed activities for children, including a special Hundred Acre Wood Experience where kids can meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

“I think the final market day is going to be so special for the community because it’s also the finale of summer reading,” said Gretchen Mitchell, SoKY Center Manager. “It’s been going since the end of May, so it’s just this final hurrah for those families who have read all summer and are going to be celebrating that way.”

Each week’s market has included a themed set of activities for kids, tied to the Warren County Public Library’s summer reading program. This Saturday’s event is National Park-themed and includes immersive activities related to nature and books.

“The Summer Reading Farmers Market is new to us,” Mitchell said. “However, it goes along with our summer reading program as well as the camps that we provide. So this Saturday is the National Park Camp that we’re doing, and we’re going to have lots of fun activities at this market that align with that.”

The Hundred Acre Wood Experience will take place inside the brick building next to the outdoor pavilion and is designed to engage children in an interactive literary environment.

“They’re going to be able to walk through the Hundred Acre Woods and get to interact and have a meet and greet with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger,” Mitchell said. “I think it goes along with national parks and just our theme of reading this summer, get lost in a good book.”

In addition to the literary fun, the market will feature live music from Kentucky State Bluegrass Banjo Champion Jordan Reihm, who is scheduled to perform between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

“It’s a really good way to highlight their artistry as well as providing a good environment… to the people at the market,” Mitchell said. “And food trucks as well, we’ve had great experiences with them being able to provide yummy food and cold drinks throughout the market.”

This is the first year the SoKY Center has hosted the Summer Reading Farmers Market, and Mitchell said the response from vendors and the community has been strong, even with this summer’s heat.

“Folks have showed up and we can’t wait for next year,” she said.

The SoKY Center team says they’re already thinking ahead.

“Now that the season is ending, I just hope to make it bigger and better next year,” Mitchell said. “This has been a great learning opportunity for us, so next year, expect great things.”

Free parking this Saturday is available for attendees at the Stadium Park Plaza garage.