Farmers Market now open on Saturdays in Keyes City Park from 7:30-11 a.m.

Every Saturday morning, dozens of early risers head for the Farmers Market in Keyes City Park.

That tradition began anew last Saturday despite the day's drizzle.

The recent closure of the Kroger store in Du Quoin is expected to drive interest even more this season.

Don Wilkin, treasurer for the program, said the Farmers Market will be open until the last Saturday of October.

The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday morning. New signs have been installed on all four corners of the city to remind you.

If you plan to be a vendor, Wilkin suggests you just show up and fill out a registration form. The cost is $30 for the entire summer. "If you are a strawberry grower and only plan to sell on two Saturdays, the cost is only $10 per Saturday," he said. "If you come for three weeks ($30), then you are good for the whole season."

"This is a producer market," he said. "We do not allow resellers," he adds. Fruit and vegetable growers need only to follow customary sanitation and display guidelines. We want everything to look nice," he said.

Any crafts can be displayed and sold, but must have been made by the vendor. Any perishable baked or canned items must adhere to Perry County Health Department guidelines and you must contact them to be certified.

Otherwise, you are asked to adhere to the Illinois Cottage Law guidelines for selling at a Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market is organized by a local board whose goal is to get high quality, locally produced fruits, vegetables and other merchandise in one place for the our local consumers looking for homegrown and homemade things to buy.