MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury’s annual Peasant Market will take place this year on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Middlebury town green.
A Middlebury tradition for decades, Peasant Market got its start as a “women’s fair” shortly after St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1827. The market took on its current name in the 1940s, and has been a local tradition ever since. All proceeds are donated to area nonprofits and service organizations. Last year’s market raised roughly $23,000.
Eighteen community groups received $10,550 in grants from the Peasant Market fund last year, including the John W. Graham Emergency Shelter, which received an $800 grant; the Vermont Food Bank, which received $500; HOPE, which received $800; and Mary Johnson Children’s Center, which received $800.
In the run-up to this year’s market, organizers at St. Stephen’s will be combing through donated goods that will be on sale at the market. Items for sale this year will include high-quality antiques, white elephant gifts, vintage clothing and jewelry, small rugs and linens, sporting goods, and more. A children’s booth will feature used clothing, toys, strollers and handmade baby gifts and crafts.
St. Stephen’s pie brigade will also be baking more than 100 pies to sell at the market. The market will also include a midway with games from children and families.
Donations for the flea market are being accepted on Friday, June 26, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; on Saturday, June 27, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; from Monday, June 29, to Friday, July 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and on Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening intakes will take place on Thursday, June 25, and Thursday, July 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Unfortunately, the church cannot accept stuffed animals, computers and accessories, VCRs, televisions or DVD players, microwaves or large appliances, luggage, cassette tapes, magazines, textbooks, shoes, underwear or items that are not clean and in good condition. The church will accept antiques, books, linens, glassware, toys and other children’s items, CDs and DVDs, jewelry, clothing in good, clean condition, white elephant gifts, furniture and sporting goods.