Wyandotte Farmers Market's Special Events Lineup

When the Wyandotte Farmers Market opens June 16, visitors will be able to pet a pig or sheep in addition to buying fresh produce.

Farmer John and his Barnyard Express will be at the market from 1 to 3 p.m. on opening day. The market also will have games, a bounce house, prizes and activities for children. A sidewalk chalk art contest will take place with prizes for winners.

There are a slew of other events planned throughout the season as well.

June 22 is a “Market Jam” event. The Whistlers, an indie rock band from Wyandotte, will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. The band consists of lead singer Josh Thorington on guitar, Jacob Mocsynski on bass guitar and Dominick Fellows on drums.

The “Go Green! Kids Art Show at the Market” takes place July 7. The market is challenging children to show their ideas on how to make the Earth a better place to live. Children can create fruits and vegetables from recycled material to enter the contest. To get the little ones ready for the event, will be hosting a family fun night June 20. There, children will be provided with the materials to create fruit and vegetable art to enter into the contest. All entries must be received by June 30. Winning entries will be on display at during the . Arts and Scraps will be on-site with the Scrapmobile for make-and-take crafts. Children will be able to learn more about the and other things that can make Wyandotte a greener place to live. Children who wear green to the market this day will receive a prize.

July 21 is another “Market Jam” event featuring Pete “Big Dog” Fetters playing slide guitar and harmonica blues. He will be playing from 1 to 3 p.m.

Children will feel like they are getting away with something Aug. 4 at the “Play With Your Food” event. Children will be able to make whatever their imagination allows using fresh produce from the farmers market. Creations will be photographed and can then be taken home to eat. Prizes will be awarded for the most interesting creations. The market is asking for a $2 donation per participant for this event. All donations will be given to the project, a soup kitchen in Wyandotte.

Aug. 18 is a “Market Jam” event featuring the music of Mike Karoub on cello and Rob Bourassa on guitar.  Karoub and Bourassa will perform from 1 to 3 p.m.

The whole family can find something to enjoy at the “Farmer’s Fair” event on Sept. 15. County-fair-style activities will take place, including a homegrown produce contest. Prizes will be awarded to the most interesting, ugliest and largest produce grown in contestants' own gardens. Children can enter sack and three-legged races and enjoy barnyard animals at a petting farm. Chefs also can register to enter the market’s 2011 Culinary Cook-off. This year the contest has a theme of pies.

The 2011 Culinary Cook-off will be judged the next day in conjunction with the Wyandotte Business Association’s Third Friday on Sept. 16. The judging will take place at the site of the farmers market at 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 is the last themed market event. A final “Market Jam” will feature Horizons String Group performing from 1 to 3 p.m.

The farmers market will be open from noon to 6 p.m. every Thursday from June 16 through Oct. 6. Visit its website or Facebook page for updated information throughout the summer.