(Photo by Amber Phipps) Each week at the Belpre Farmers’ Market features new and returning vendors who offer items for purchase like pork, chicken, fresh eggs and sausages.

BELPRE — The Belpre Farmers’ Market is open to the public noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday from May 11 to Oct. 26. The market entered its second year of operation this season and each week brings in a new crowd along with returning vendors.

Director of the Belpre Farmers’ Market, Eric Freed, started the market as a way to support farmers and get the community together.

“I came onto this land and I wanted to do something for the community so I started this last year,” said Freed. “It’s a lot of work and I started at 8 this morning.”

Located at 515 Blennerhassett Avenue, the market is located along the riverfront on Freed’s personal property. The lawn is mowed and tended to each week to prepare for the vendors and give the guests a space to park their vehicles.

Freed is a full-time chiropractor with an office in Belpre and Athens. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to organize the market every Sunday for about six months.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) There was a vendor for everyone at the Belpre Farmers’ Market on Sunday, even for your furry friend. Tails and Trails Shop offered a selection of homemade dog treats that included natural ingredients like carrots and papaya.

“I did it on Sunday because most of these vendors go to Marietta and other counties which are Saturday morning markets,” said Freed. “So I decided to do a Sunday afternoon market, and I’d like to have it in the morning but this is after church.”

The market features a wide selection of vendors who either reach out to him to apply or are people he has known. The vendors vary each week but many of them return every Sunday to provide their goods to the community.

“Each week there are about 25 to 50 vendors who sign up, some come just for Mother’s Day like some of the flower vendors,” said Freed.

He said that a few vendors specialize in a specific item like flowers or flannels that are only sold during a specific time of year. There are a handful of vendors that show up every Sunday for the entire market season.

Majority of the vendors at the market sell their items on the side while also maintaining full-time jobs, said Freed.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Among the vendors at the Belpre Farmers’ Market on Sunday were Crazy Hens Creations which featured homemade fudge and snacks. The flavors of fudge ranged from jalapeño chocolate to raspberry lemonade, so there was a flavor for everyone.

“I wouldn’t mind making this occur twice a week,” said Freed. “A place where they could sell their stuff all the time, like a market, but I’d have to build up the staff with it.”

Freed has aspirations to continue growing the market since it’s the only one in Belpre. He also grows grapes on the property with the goal to eventually start a winery with a sweeping view of the river.

“About once a month we try and do something special, last week we had a car show and the lawn was lined up with cars,” said Freed. The Belpre Area Veterans were in attendance for the market on Sunday.

Freed wanted people to know that the Belpre Farmers’ Market is welcome to all of the surrounding communities and not just Belpre. His goal is to support the local vendors by getting the word out there about the weekly market.

“I want to do something for the community and support the local farmers and bring awareness to the community of Belpre,” he said.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The Belpre Farmers’ Market is open from noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday May 11 to October 26. There are around 25-50 vendors each week depending on the weather and time of year.

The market is full of vendors who create anything from crochet water bottle holders to sourdough bread to homemade dips and jams. Guests can enjoy kettle corn and freshly squeezed lemonade during their visit.

Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee was available on Sunday and offered a wide selection of caffeinated drinks and refreshing beverages.

Just a few feet beyond the field where the market is located is a pathway that leads down to the boat dock which Freed built on his own for boaters to stop by and check out the market.

Whether you travel by boat or car, the Belpre Farmers’ Market is open from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Visit https://belprefarmersmarket.org/ for more information on schedules and vendor applications.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Director of the Belpre Farmers’ Market and local chiropractor, Eric Freed said that each week varies in both visitor and vendor attendance. Sometimes there are local musicians available to sing live during the market from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Visitors at the Belpre Farmers’ Market on Sunday could enjoy iced coffee, tea, and caffeinated beverages from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee during those hot summer days.