Holly Farmers Market Bigger Than Ever
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 21, 2021)
Holly, MI – A couple from Pontiac named Chris and Toni were in Holly with their granddaughter Jayellee to handle a Facebook Market Place transaction when they “saw all the people, and we had some time to kill, and decided to check it out.”  As little Jayelle read through the labels on the display case full of honey flavors at the Holly Farmers Market, Chris told Oakland County Times that they love taking their grandkid out to explore.  “We take her to all kinds of places so she can meet different people and see new things,” he said.
Jayelle was pleased with her presents for the day – a pop sickle, honey sticks, and a neck pillow.  “It’s nice, there’s a lot to see,” Chris said.
The honey sticks came from La Lumiere Honey in Howell where Pat and Don La Lumiere tend to the beehives and make honey-based products together.
“My father was a beekeeper so I grow up doing it with him,” Pat said.  She and Don have been dealing in sweet golden goodness since 1984.   Jars of various sizes graced their table along with honey-based soaps and candles.
Next to the La Lumieres, Eric Roeske sold items from Roeske Farms in Hartland, including fresh eggs and frozen meat.  “We’ve got a couple acres of veggies, and some pigs, some chickens and turkeys. Turkeys are a big thing for us,” Roeske said.
While vendors from the rural areas like Highland and Hartland are not uncommon, some may be surprised that a big batch of the produce at the market is grown in a yard in suburban Clawson, 37 miles south of the Holly Farmers Market. Kristin Harpster of Bear Veggies has turned her corner lot into a natural food oasis, packing in planters of tomatoes, beans, peppers and more.  “The baby bok choy is one that’s gotten a lot of interest,” she said of the young potted plants she had for sale at her booth. It was the first year at the market for Bear Farms, and last week it was fresh cut snapdragons that did the best.  As the season progresses more and more fresh produce will fill the booths of Harpster and the other vendors.
For Harpster the drive is worth it after finding markets in southern Oakland County to be more expensive.  Of market coordinator Diana Regan, Harpster said “Diana is very responsive, very helpful, really easygoing.  She makes it easy and made us feel welcome.  It’s a great place to start out.”
Positioned in a lovely community park adjacent to the historic Downtown, The Holly Farmers Market provides a nice open space with picturesque views, and sometimes even a train rolling through the background. Regan owns Diana’s Heirloom Produce in Highland which has been gracing markets regionally for 13 years. They’ve been part of the Holly scene since it began just a couple years ago.  “This year we have 30-40 vendors each week, and later in the season we’ll have good trucks and there’s a concert in the works,” she said.  “We work with the Village and the Downtown so hopefully people will visit the market and head into the shops and restaurants here too.”

Other vendors include Vintage Creamery and their old fashioned ice cream cart with a bright pink and green theme, a booth full of jellies and jams made by Grandma’s Pantry in Highland, and homemade walker totes, face masks, and wallets made by Suzanne Miller of Totes and Aprons by Sue in Holly.  Profits from the mask sales help fund musical instrument purchases for kids in Flint.
“We love seeing new vendors come out each year, and watching this grow,” Regan said.
The Holly Farmers Market takes place each Sunday 10am – 2pm, from May 2nd to October 17th in beautiful downtown Holly. To learn more, visit Holly Farmers Market on Facebook.
For more Holly news visit the Oakland County  Times Holly News Page.  Also check out our Event Page for more fun things to do!