(La Porte County, IN) - The farmers’ market season in La Porte and Michigan City begins this year on Memorial Day weekend.

 

The Farmed and Forged market in Michigan City kicks off on May 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at 800 Washington St.

 

In La Porte, opening day is May 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Monroe St. and Lincolnway.

 

“We are getting the final touches on everything for opening day,” said Mandy Krickhahn, Founder of The Collective, a group dedicated to helping small businesses that runs both markets.

 

Krickhahn said the hours this year in La Porte were moved back one hour because the crowds were larger last year after opening than they were toward the end of the market's business day.
 

Since coming to La Porte two years ago, Krickhahn said the Farmed and Forged market has resulted in a near 50 percent increase in shoppers and 33 percent growth in the number of vendors than what was achieved at markets under different leadership at the same location. 

 

They’re hoping to have similar success in their first year in Michigan City.

 

“We’re just really excited to go over there and do our thing,” she said.

 

The Farmed and Forged Market has additional offerings than what traditional markets had in the past such as live music and cooking demonstrations.