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Griswold plans farmers market; board flags inclusivity check for four-day park revival
Summary
The town will launch a farmers market (first dates: 24th, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.) and heard an informational request from Heart of the Matter Ministries to hold a four-day daytime revival in Veterans Park (Sept. 10–13); board members asked staff to confirm the group's inclusivity and insurance details.
Town officials and EDC volunteers outlined plans to start a farmers market and discussed an informational request from a religious group to use Veterans Park for a multi-day revival.
Rich, representing the Economic Development Committee, said the first farmers market dates are planned for the 24th, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, with hours currently set at 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and a site on the elementary school grass off Slater Avenue. About 10–12 vendors have expressed interest; organizers said they will collect vendor contact information and a simple form (names, addresses, phone, email) and discussed promotional ideas including social-media sharing and raffle-style incentives.
Separately, the board reviewed a correspondence from Heart of the Matter Ministries proposing a four-day daytime revival in Veterans Park from Sept. 10–13. The group said it would file a permit and provide a $1,000,000 certificate of insurance and committed to clean the grounds after the event. A board member (speaker 3) asked staff to verify the group's inclusivity practices before the event, noting that an evangelical revival can carry expectations about values and that the town should ensure broad community access.
Lori Stewart, a public commenter, relayed a mayoral guidance from another town recommending that farmers-market signage exclude profanity and political or religious messaging; board members discussed the distinction between allowing individuals to sell produce and restricting organizational messaging on public-market signage.
Organizers said they may expand the market next year to a different town-owned lot (Public Works Garage) to allow larger events and possible weekend expansions. No formal votes were taken on park use (it was listed as correspondence/informational); staff were asked to follow up with the religious group to clarify plans and inclusivity.
What to expect: organizers will finalize vendor forms and event promotion; staff will confirm insurance and inclusivity questions with the revival organizers before the event proceeds.
