National publications recognize Carson

Last Saturday the second part of the Curry Street Promenade opened with the downtown Farmers Market in the Third Street parking lot, the Family Pop Up Park at the Brewery Arts Center, and in the Proctor Street parking lot Hoofbeats Carriage stables and Bike the Blue Line kiosk.

For the first time this season, tomorrow and Saturday's lineups are back-to-back to create the full Curry Street Promenade experience.

At 7 p.m. Bad Intent takes the stage on Third Street and Saturday morning activities open at 9 a.m. Weekly details are at www.downtowncarsoncity.com.

You also can follow on Twitter. Weekly Tweets, and every 30 minutes on Saturdays, send prompts about market demonstrations and Pop Up Park details. Way too cool, eh?

Recently, national publications recognized Carson City's downtown activities.

Carson City's support of the downtown farmers market was featured in the March issue of PM Magazine, the publication of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

"Support the Farm Stand to Feed 'Locovores' and the Economy" outlined our downtown streetlife efforts as a healthy approach to keeping money in the local economy that at the same time forwards a more sustainable community.

The Market Beet, the quarterly newsletter of the Farmer's Market Coalition (FMC), showcased Carson City's Saturday morning downtown farmers market in a story headlined, "Incentives and Investments Give New Nevada Market a Head Start." Downtown market coordinator Linda Marrone was featured for a "surprising speedy success" of the downtown market.

Full articles are at down

towncarsoncity.com.

People like Linda Marrone, who has translated her knowledge of the food industry, agriculture, gardening and business into a very fine farmers market, is benefitting all of us. Did you know that, according to Rick Lattin of Nevada Grown, Linda's vendors make up the most Nevada growers at any market in the state ... combined?

"This market is a real gem for Nevada growers," said Lattin.

The Nevada growers compliment the balance of the California growers who bring their berries, stone fruit and other goodies to fill the gaps in produce variety. Restricted to farms from roughly 100 miles, these growers also go the extra mile to offer farm fresh food and in many cases travel in the middle of the night to make our morning start.

Nearly 1,900 market customers are expected this weekend. Adding to the experience are boutique vendors and local market cafes, live music and table seating, plus Pop Up Park activities, live music, youth performers and much more.

Tara Burke and the folks at the B.A.C. have staged an engaging slate of fun.

So ... outdoor music, food specials, recipes, chefs in the market demonstrations, gardening, family activities, biking information, historic district maps and more make up the Curry Street Promenade.

See you there!

• Tammy Westergard is the deputy manager of the Carson City Office of Business Development. Send questions and feedback to twest

ergard@ci.carson-city.nv.us