Ledyard — Lauriann Hary admitted she was nervous about this year's Ledyard Farmers Market.

She had served on its all-volunteer committee for more than three years, and 2021 marked her first time as the person overseeing the event.

It was the second year the market was being held in its new location on the lower town green on the former fairgrounds, but the first full-blown event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She said she wasn't sure how receptive vendors and the public would be.

Turns out she didn't have to worry.

"Even on our so-called slow days, we have seen at least 1,000 people show up," said Hary. "I'm not sure if it's due to COVID restrictions being relaxed, or the new location, or combination of factors, but it seems the stars have aligned for the farmers market. I'm so happy."

The market's 16-week run ends Wednesday, and Hary's attention will turn to the annual Fall and Winter Market, which, unlike the Farmers Market, wasn't held last year due to COVID. "We're going to roll right into the next event," she said.

There will be some changes to the Fall Market. For one thing, it's beginning earlier than previous years. It'll be held each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 through Dec. 18 at Saint David's Episcopal Church at the corner of routes 12 and 214. The fall event will offer similar vendors that are found at the summertime market, but roughly half the number, as well as familly activities with fall and Halloween themes.

This summer, more than 40 vendors sold their wares at the farmers' market under the town green's pole barn, with food trucks, family activities, and live entertainment. Last year's site limited the vendors to 20, with no live entertainment

"People just came, bought what they wanted, and went home," Hary said of last year.

Not so in 2021. Families have been encouraged to picnic on the grassy areas, with blankets available on loan. Music has filled the air, and children have been able to participate in various activities, or play on the nearby playground. 

"The new site is great," said Hary. "The lower green offers more shade, and makes it easier for the vendors to set up. They don't have to bring tents."

Each week's market offered a different theme. One of the more popular ones was "You're Bacon Me Crazy," with vendors offering various foods with bacon as an ingredient. Items such as maple bacon cupcakes, bacon candy, and bacon cheddar sourdough bread quickly sold out. Hary said about 1,500 people attended that week.

The farmers market began in 2008, when a group of local farmers got together to sell their products, It was first located at Town Hall, then moved to the parking lot of the current Ledyard Village Market on Route 117. In 2012, the event moved across the street to the upper Town Green, where it stayed until last year, when it moved to the lower green.

The site has seen some recent improvements, most notably a new large parking lot. Other improvements are in the works. Some of the posts in the pole barn will be shored up, according to Mayor Fred Allyn III. New LED lighting and weatherproof electrical outlets will be installed there as well. A new entertainment gazebo is planned, as well as a parklet with picnic tables and grilling areas.

"The green is getting a lot of use, and that was the goal," said Allyn. "It's a place for people to gather outside and socialize. The Farmers Market has become not only a place where people buy things, but also a social event. It's desperately needed after the pandemic."

Cori Antignani from Cambera Farm Bakery in Willimantic has been at the market every week since mid-2019, selling different varieties of sourdough bread, and other baked goods, as well as homemade goat soap.

"Business has been great," she said. "I love this market. Everyone is here to have fun and buy."

She noted she has seen people who have stopped by her table at the farmers market later come to her business.

"That's a bit of a ride for some people," she said.

Kate Truini, the owner of Woodbury-based "New Curds on the Block" marked her first year at the Ledyard event.

"I signed up for the market, at Hary's request," she said. "Originally I was only going to show up once a month, because of the long drive from Woodbury. But I now show up every week. It's a party every week here, and has been a really good fit for my business."

Trunini sells handmade dairy products from independent cheese makers in Connecticut. She said her lemon curd yogurt is a popular item, and has been sold out every week.

Tony and Suzi Schell recently moved from the West Coast to Gales Ferry, and have attended the market numerous times.

"It's a nice feeling to get out," said Suzi. "The farmers market that we attended in Sonoma, California, was more of a show, and a touristy event, with no place to sit down and eat. This is better."