New beginnings for Seeley Lake Market

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Market, formerly the Seeley Lake Farmers' & Crafters' Market, will open for the season Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation is excited to reshape the market to promote local businesses alongside local produce and artisans.

According to Foundation President Carla Schade, they were approached by Vicki Voegelin to sponsor the market after she ran it for 10 years.

Voegelin said her decision to ask the Foundation to continue the market came as a donation. She hopes they will find ways to use the income from the market to support the community.

"It is my hope that the SLCF continue on with the love and the joy that has been created and to use the income that they generate to put towards the youth of our community in some fashion," said Voegelin.

"We're all very excited that the market is able to continue and we want to thank Vicki Voegelin so much for helping us to continue this venture," said Schade.

According to Schade, Voegelin created a market that doubled as a popular social event for locals. Schade said the market fits into the Foundation's mission of promoting arts, education, conservation and economic development due to its social and economic impacts on the Seeley Lake community.

"We kind of felt that this is kind of an all encompassing community thing," said Schade.

This year, the market will be sponsored by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and will be managed by Rachelle Harman. The market will be located on the lawn of the Foundation's new building, located at 3150 Highway 83. The entrance to the market will be located off of Pine Street and shoppers are welcome to park at Seeley Lake Elementary or use street parking.

Along with the vendors, there will also be a table for local businesses to display menus, fliers, coupons and other information. Schade hopes the booth will expand shoppers' business throughout Seeley Lake after the market closes.

The market will run every Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. through Sept. 1.

According to Schade, they expect nearly 30 vendors to be in attendance for the first market and plan to add more as the season progresses.

Schade said, "We will see some of their favorite vendors, that have been coming for many, many years, as well as some brand new vendors that have never been to the Seeley Lake Market."

For more information about the market or becoming a vendor please contact Rachelle Harman by email at seeleylakemarket@gmail.com, or by phone at 406-317-2756.