Grant will help build new farmers' market stage

By Cory McConnell

Staff Writer

In little more than a month, Fallon's Maine Street will come alive once again every Tuesday with the vibrancy and bustle of the summer-long farmers' market series.

The market is the city's way of getting people together - an aspect of life that urban sprawl and a mad dash to the suburbs has killed off in much of America. It's also a way of bringing people to the new Maine Street and all the businesses that line it.

Organizers say the market is shaping up to be the best ever, with dozens of produce and craft vendors lined up, new activities for kids in the works and a bigger, better stage for live music and performances on the way.

"I think last year the market really turned a corner and now we're just getting better," said Fallon Tourism Director Rick Gray.

One thing that will improve this year is the farmers' market stage. The market's board plans to construct a new one this year with a $9,500 grant from the U.S. Forest Service. A Forest Service grant is "pretty rare" for a community nowhere near a federal forest, said USFS spokesperson Franklin Pemberton.

The Forest Service Rural Community Assistance grants are designed to help communities whose economies have historically relied on natural resources to become more diverse and resilient. Generally, however, the grants are awarded to areas near or bordering national forests.

"This is just a great program," Pemberton said.

"We saw a prime opportunity... to help what is already a successful (event)."

Organizers plan to add a kids' activities booth this year, made out of a massive cargo container the market bought earlier this year. When the logistics of the plan are worked out, Gray said the container will likely house carnival-type games.

A change from past market series, each of this year's 11 markets will have a theme, such as Military Appreciation Day, cowboy night and multi-cultural day.

Most of the market's features will remain unchanged from last year however, such as the Fallon/Churchill County Fire Departments water-spraying fire truck and the fresh fruits and vegetables straight from farmers' fields.

The first market of the season, June 15, will be cowboy night featuring the country band Comstock Cowboys.

Cory McConnell can be contacted at cmcconnell@lahontanvalleynews.com