A Community Divided

In early May, the Polson Farmer’s Market off of Main Street had to be relocated to make way for construction. During this time, the Market took place at Riverside Park. This move brought about waves of anxiety and frustration for vendors and patrons alike. Joe Arnold, Co-owner of Flathead Lake Cheese (FLC), described people being angered at the situation due to fear of it moving and not knowing what was happening. 

This movement has gained a lot of attention, bringing about a petition and support rallies to help keep the Polson Farmer’s Market downtown.

Since 1976, the Polson Farmer’s Market has been a Friday staple for many visitors and families in the community. The Farmer’s Market takes place every Friday from May to October. To support vendors selling a wide variety of home goods, contributors can go off Main Street on 3rd Ave. W, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The goods sold consist of anything from cheese and vegetables to handmade blankets and jewelry.

 There are some advantages to moving the Farmer’s Market, such as reducing traffic and potential accidents on Main Street. During the summer, drivers have to be extremely cautious of the extra foot traffic caused by the Polson Farmer’s Market. Loss of focus could result in a grim situation. Where the Polson Farmer’s Market is currently located, alleyways leading to residential homes and businesses are blocked off. Relocating would provide access to these establishments during the time of the market. 

The traction the Polson Farmer’s Market has gained throughout the years has also caused quite an issue due to a lack of parking. To avoid walking several blocks, people park in places such as the nearby post office or CSKT Natural Resources parking lots. This creates a potential problem for actual employees or customers of those businesses. People are unable to get the services they require without parking in an inconvenient location. Prioritizing safety and concern are important for the Polson Farmer’s Market’s success. 

At the beginning of summer, vendors like Arnold of FLC were concerned about how the movement of The Farmer’s Market would affect their potential customers.

Not aware of the location change, people struggled to find the market. When located off of Main Street, the market was easily accessible and noticeable for people of all ages. With a permanently changed location, publicity once gained could potentially be lost. 

With a lack of publicity comes the loss of tradition. Many locals come down to visit their favorite vendors and shop for fresh produce every Friday during the summer. Tradition is vital to staying connected with those around you in a small community. 

Moving the Polson Farmer’s Market could also present some major challenges to its supporters. If relocated to a grassy plain or hill area, people with mobility issues could find it difficult to traverse the uneven terrain. 

During the construction, when the market was located at Riverside Park, vendors ran into the issue of people wanting to dock boats during the event time. This is just one situation creating tension between those in favor of the move and those not in favor.

Concerns about the potential movement of the Polson Farmer’s Market have brought debate throughout the community. Bringing fear and frustration about the lack of information has confused participating members and supporters.Many downtown businesses support keeping the market there to attract customers to their businesses. HandMADE Montana owner, Carol Lynn Lapotka, stated, “The Farmer’s Market is a great representation of why people are drawn to our community. It capstones a week quite nicely in the summer, and kicks off the weekend for a lot of folks.” 

At the October 28 city council meeting, Mayor Eric Huffine met with proponents of keeping the market in its current location. Ultimately, they decided that the market will stay centered in downtown Polson.