The soil of Connecticut is rich with potential – growing food, people, businesses, and community.
The expanded Wethersfield Farmers’ Market opens Thursday, May 17, 3 to 6 p.m., in a new location at circa 1774 Solomon Welles House on Hartford Avenue at Cove Park (near the DMV which by the way, is open late on Thursdays).

Special perk for opening day – free horse-drawn carriages provided by Allegra Farm of East Haddam.

“It's a good place to stop and pick up dinner – take it home or enjoy a picnic by the cove,” said Doug Sacks, who with Stephanie Jarms, co-directs the farmers' market.

Cove Park encompasses 110-plus acres – it's a lush green crescent that surrounds the oxbow inlet of the Connecticut River at Wethersfield. A walking trail meanders under trees and along the water's edge to a boat and kayak launch. Leashed dogs are welcome. Perfect for strollers, walkers or wheelchairs even. Benches along the way offer scenic views or quiet time. Stop at the market for some fresh bread and cheese, hummus or guacamole, maybe a crunchy apple or some sweet berries, tuck a book into a market tote. Savor life.

More than 30 vendors and artisans have signed on for this year's market season.

A market is more than a place to shop for fresh breads, cheese, eggs, greens, honey or ideas. There's beauty in the form of fresh flowers for your table, fragrant soaps, beeswax candles, soft yarn. It's where people feed the community that feeds them.

What sprouted as a joint initiative of the Economic Development & Improvement Commission (EDIC) and the Tourism Commission in 2009 is blooming as a community happening.

Baked goods: Morning Glory Bakery, Glastonbury, muffins, breads, cookies, pizza breads; La Petite France, West Hartford, artisan breads, croissants, quiche, quick meals; Sixpence Pie Company, Southington, desserts, meat pies, British pasties. Farms/produce: Dondero Orchards of Glastonbury, fruits/vegetables, bread, pies, pesto; Killam & Bassett of Glastonbury, fruits/vegetables, jams and jellies; Red Onion Gardens of Wethersfield, organic herbs, lettuce varieties, wreaths; Cugno Farms of Colchester, Italian heirloom vegetables, herbs, seedlings, dried chilies; Oxen Hill Farm of Simsbury, organic produce, heirloom tomato varieties, wool products; Bright Yellow Farm of Bloomfield, seasonal produce. Farms/specialty products: Eaglewood Farm of Barkhamstead, beef, pork, poultry, salmon, eggs; Bella Alpacas, New Milford, alpaca wool products; Swift Farms, Mansfield, local honey, beautiful beeswax candles; Sugar Maple Farm, Lebanon, maple syrup, maple sugar candy; Sweet Pea Cheese, Granby, goat cheese, milk, yogurt, & soaps; Blackbird Farm, Wethersfield, fresh-cut flower bouquets. Specialty non-food: Grindle Brook Farm, South Glastonbury, variety of soaps, lotions, and beauty products; Like a Fresh Penny, Newington, all natural cleaning products. Crafts/artisans: Aurora Borealis, West Hartford, jewelry; All Things Beaded, Windsor, jewelry; Ray Medeiros, Lebanon, handcarved wooden cooking/kitchen utensils, service ware, gifts; Pysh Jewelry, Wethersfield, glass jewelry; Now & Then, Lebanon, vintage tote bags, tablecloths, up-cycled jewelry, carry-alls; Rainbow Kids, tie dyed-clothing; Henna by Jamilah, East Hampton, henna hand and temporary body art.

“Wethersfield Cove is where Thomas Deming built a shipyard on the banks of this natural harbor and in 1649 launched the ‘Tryall' – the first ship made in Connecticut.” – from www.historicwethersfield.org