Market Madness is Saturday

The regular Saturday's Farmer's Market in Springfield will blossom into 'Market Madness' this Saturday.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150904/NEWS02/709049919

Market Madness will be held Saturday in Springfield. The 2014 edition is pictured here. Photo: Provided PhotoPublished September 4, 2015 in the Rutland Herald Market Madness is Saturday in Springfield By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — Thousands of people are expected in downtown Springfield on Saturday for the fourth annual Market Madness, a daylong street fair for families. Carol Lighthall, executive director of Springfield On The Move and organizer of the event, said there would be all kinds of activities and fun. “It’s great family fun,” Lighthall said Thursday afternoon, juggling last-minute details in her office at the head of The Square. She was surrounded by orange and white striped street barriers that will be used to block off short sections of Park and Valley streets for the fair. Valley Street, which had been torn up for water and sewer line improvements, has been paved in time for the fair. The fair begins at 10 a.m., and closes at 4 p.m., she said, and there will be a different musical performer every hour. The main stage will be set up on Valley Street in front of the Springfield On The Move office, and other musical groups will perform in the bank parking lot in downtown Springfield. Some of the musical groups include Johnny O., Todd Moses, Fujita 5, John Sullivan, John Sullivan and Friends, and Crazy Love. Steve Osterlund’s FAB Group, which plays Beatles music, will play across from the 56 Main Street Restaurant. A kissing booth will be set up by the Springfield Humane Society, which will have animals available for adoption and activities for children between the Furman’s Building and the Masonic Temple on Main Street. There will be face painting and fun and games featuring performer Troy Wunderle of Circus Smirkus. The Springfield Farmers Market, which is usually held Saturday in the People’s United parking lot, will swell to 50 vendors, essentially doubling in size, Lighthall said. There will be arts, crafts, homemade and local treats, as well as the farmers market staples. The 56 Main Street restaurant will create an “oasis” featuring barbecue and a beer garden, serving Harpoon beer. There will be classic cars, antique tractors and motor sports displays. There will be an ice cream social, a quilt display and raffle. Market Madness has started to fill the gap of a previous late-summer street festival in Springfield called Moonlight Madness, which was held at night during the full moon in August, with many people dressing in costume.