The second installment of this year’s three ‘Market in the Park’ events, sponsored by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, was held Saturday at First National Bank and Trust, drawing a crowd despite the threat of bad weather.

Local vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruits, jams, syrups, flowers and other goods, all grown within a 30-mile radius of Atmore, were on hand to give visitors a wide selection of fresh, healthy foods and other products to choose from.

In addition to the variety of goods for sale, Saturday’s event also featured a chance for event goers to learn how to make fresh, homemade products of their own.

Amelia McGraw, regional extension agent over food safety with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, held an outdoor seminar teaching the correct procedure for making and storing “Easy Grape Jelly.”

With several new vendors offering craft items, farm fresh eggs and canning demonstrations,  Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Director Sheryl Vickery deemed Saturday’s “Market in the Park” a success. As a result of the interest in this event by local vendors, more tents were needed to set up and sell items. Not only were there numerous vendors, a crowd of buyers came out to purchase fresh produce.

“It was even bigger than the first,” Vickery said. “We received a lot of compliments and everyone seemed to love it.”

Although it is a concern that there will not be an abundance of vegetables ready at the time of the next ‘Market,’ Vickery is lining up other local vendors to sell non-seasonal items.

“We are waiting to see what produce will be available at that time,” Vickery said.

Items already on schedule for the next “Market in the Park,” which will be Saturday, Aug. 11, include flowers, eggs, preserves and syrups.

The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce began hosting “Market in the Park” in 2011 in an effort to boost the sell of locally grown produce and other products, while giving local residents a chance to purchase healthier, fresher foods and other goods than they would typically find in a conventional grocery store.