This week’s vendor spotlight is on our parent organization, Bona Fide Bellevue. We spoke with Susan Stabnau, the organization’s president.
Bona Fide Bellevue was started in 2008 by a group of community-minded people who wanted to do good things for Bellevue. It started small, got more people involved, and eventually filed paperwork to become a 501(c)3 non-profit. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have helped with various projects and events – Improve the Vue, Art & Wine Crawl, Community Garden, House Tour, Historic Plaque Program, Rhythm & Brews, and Live Learn Grow to name a few. Last year we had our first mural installed on Lincoln Avenue by the Mural Arts Program, as well as our first holiday celebration, Light up Bellevue!
A number of years ago, a group of friends wanted to start a farmers market. They did a great job pulling together suppliers and the concept, and it was welcomed with open arms by the community. In order to take advantage of our non-profit status, they asked if we could take it on. Now a separate board and a truly dedicated group of volunteers, under the direction of Bryan Davidson, the Market Manager, works hard every week for months on end to create one of the best markets in our area.
One of the fun things we started last year and continued in this year is the Games and Activity Lending Library. Families can borrow jump ropes, balls, Velcro mitts, hula hoops, Frisbees, bubble wands, bouncy balls, and lots more. It’s a great way for kids to fill the time while the grown-ups are shopping, and it’s so fun to watch parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles teaching kids how to jump rope or hula hoop – most are a little rusty, but they still got it!!!
The Farmers Market is such a family-friendly place and a meeting point for the entire community to gather. Seeing so many different people having fun and enjoying life in our small town is one of the best things about the Farmers Market.
Anyone can volunteer to help with our events and programs or share ideas on new things we can take on. Everyone is welcome, and all of the funds we raise are put back into the community.
Visit our website to learn more or get involved.