Weekend fun in Lone Rock is going strong! Every Saturday, the Lone Rock Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. for a fun evening of activities at Ambrose Creek Community Park in the Lone Rock area of Stevensville. The park is located at 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Rd., Stevensville. Ambrose Park is covered in beautiful, lush grass and provides walking trails, a brand new playground structure, baseball diamonds, volleyball and tennis areas, and a lovely community center.
The market was fortunate to have exceptional music, last week, from Greg and Francie Brooks, with John Bowe on mandolin – a professional band that plays many local venues in the Bitterroot and Missoula. The market welcomes musicians that will play for tips and appreciates any referrals that the community can give. They hope to have as much live music as possible this summer.
The market also has a food booth this season, called “Rick’s Rockin’ Grill.” Rick and Dave grilled up some pretty juicy and delicious cheeseburgers, brats and hot dogs last Saturday for opening day. The “grill” will be cookin’ up a storm every Saturday this summer, so bring your appetites, and browse the other goodies that will be there this coming weekend on June 10th and every other Saturday through September 28.
Another special addition to the market is the Marrow Family Produce Stand. T.J. and family provide excellent organic produce and are starting a CSA in the Lone Rock/Stevensville area. You can find out more about it when visiting their produce stand. The Lone Rock Produce Farm will also be providing fresh vegetables as soon as it comes available, as well as farm fresh, local eggs and plant starts right now. The market is looking to add more produce vendors from the community, so that produce is available from local sources. So, consider becoming a produce vendor, if you have a green thumb and like to share your bounty with others, as well as make a profit. The vendor fee is only $15.00 for a 12’x 12’ space. Find out more by calling or texting Joy at (406) 396-1236
The Lone Rock Farmers Market’s mission is to support the community’s welfare in a few specific ways. “We want to encourage our neighbors in the Lone Rock/Stevensville area, as well as the valley, to grow produce for themselves and their community,” said Joy Nelson, market coordinator. “The building up of community networking and commerce is also a priority, so that we can become comfortable with meeting each other’s life sustaining needs. This will allow for neighbors to thrive regardless of supply chain or other economic concerns. We also want to foster neighbor-to-neighbor relationships, so that we learn to know, care for, and rely on each other in selfless and benevolent ways.”
You can like and follow the Lone Rock Farmers Market on its Facebook page. You can get more info about special events, how to become a vendor, and other important weekend details on the Facebook Page and the Next Door app (under Joy Nelson or Lone Rock Farmers Market) as well.
The market is also supported by a group of loyal volunteers through the Lone Rock Community Network. This group was previously called the “Three Mile Group” and was headed up by T.C. Richardson, who is now deceased. Rick and Joy Nelson have led the group since then, and offer education and discussion about how to be sustainable as a community… in our food, our economics, and our choices. Many guest speakers address and share knowledge about health, gardening, safety, preparedness, our children’s education, community support, and much more. Consider attending a meeting in the future. The group meets at Lone Rock Bible Church at 1142 Three Mile Creek Rd., Stevensville. Meeting time is the first and third Sundays of the month, at 6 p.m. Info about topics and speakers are posted on the Next Door app (under Joy Nelson) and the “Lone Rock Community Network” Facebook group.
“The Lone Rock Farmers Market is a welcoming, positive place which provides a venue where neighbors, family and friends can gather for a relaxing time in the evenings to play at the park, browse the market, and enjoy some good music,” said Nelson. “You will find local produce, good food, bakery items, art, crafters, local business vendors and more. Make this unique and special market one of your weekend stops as you enjoy your personal and family time.”