If you look across the landscape in this city right about now, there are a ton of goings on everywhere. Some have been Springtime staples in Savannah like the Savannah Music Festival that just wrapped up, or the Publix Womens 5K that ran nearly two weeks ago through the city.
Other events are new to town like last weekend’s Heritage Fire Tour, which was very well attended and well done for a first time event. At the end of the month, the ever-popular SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival will take over Forsyth Park. There is a lot more, but you get the picture. It’s a beautiful time of the year to be outside and enjoy.
One event that you should give consideration to is Forsyth Farmer’s Market’s largest fundraiser of the year. It’s their annual Farm Picnic, it’s happening Sunday, April 23 at The Dairy Farm in Savannah’s Bonaventure/Thunderbolt neighborhood.
For those that aren’t familiar, the Forsyth Farmers' Market is the county’s largest market. Every Saturday, vendors and farmers gather at the southern end of Forsyth Park to sell the fruits of their labor. The Market, like most others, is a 501c3 non profit organization. They exist largely because of government grants and generous donations from the community year round.
Every April for the last six years, they’ve hosted a picnic. They invite restaurants from all over the city to donate food and drink and you get to enjoy. For the cost of a ticket, of course. In those six short years, it has been very successful. I’m told this year, however, it will be a little different.
“We are adding storytelling around Gullah Geechee Foodways” says Deidre Grimm, Executive Director of the Forsyth Farmers' Market. “We want to help people understand that our food system is more than grocery stores.”
Grimm points out that during the shutdown surrounding COVID-19 a few years ago, a lot of grocery stores were suffering from supply issues. Sometimes it is still an issue. But farmers haven’t stopped working or providing the products they grow or farmed for years, which makes the Farmer’s Market an even more valuable resource.
That resource wouldn’t be possible without the money collected from events like Sunday’s Farm Picnic and other fundraisers throughout the year.
The event is a three-hour very family friendly afternoon featuring live music, a petting zoo, a silent auction and the aforementioned storytelling. Children are not only welcome, but encouraged to enjoy an afternoon on the farm. The list of participating restaurants includes Local 11ten, Green Truck Pub, Geneva’s Chicken and Cornbread, The Collins Quarter, and The Hungry Vegan. There will also be local craft beer provided as well as wine.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at forsythfarmersmarket.com
