Davenport gets farmers market of its own

When Davenport native Carey Guhlke moved back home after living in Jackson Hole, Wyo., one of the things she missed was that city’s thriving farmers market.

“It seemed strange to me that in Lincoln County, there was no farmers market,” Guhlke said, in reference to the area’s rich agricultural roots.

The 26 year old, who works in public relations and marketing for the Lincoln County Hospital District Monday through Thursday, decided last spring to start operating a market on Fridays—her day off.

Luckily, she had the perfect location: inside the 1902 barn her grandfather restored last summer. Guhlke grew up in the house that overlooks the barn and lives there again now.

She says the market isn’t large, but it has a dedicated following in the Davenport area.

Guhlke coordinates live music every week, and the market often celebrates a theme. On Aug. 6, for instance, it was “kids day.” Young attendees could play miniature golf and pet donkeys and ponies outside the barn. In July, Guhlke organized a barn dance, complete with a beer garden. On Sept. 17 and 18, the barn will host a Red Star Crafters event, where vendors will sell vintage goods and handmade items, sort of like a small Farm Chicks Show, Guhlke said.

In late September, a dietitian will be on hand to help attendees use fresh produce to create nutritious meals during Healthy Choices Day. And on Oct. 15 (the market’s last day of the 2010 season) families can carve pumpkins.

The Barn is located on Bald Ridge Road on the north side of Highway 2 about a mile east of Davenport (so if you’re driving from Spokane and get all the way to the main drag in Davenport, you’ve gone too far). Look for the Big Red Barn sign and turn right.

I took some pictures at the market on Friday. Take a look at the slideshow above, and then find out more about the Big Red Barn Farmers Market on Facebook .