Dallas Farmers Market Friends will host the 20th Annual Hoedown on Oct. 14. The annual fundraiser returns to the newly restored space, The Shed, at the Dallas Farmers Market for the first time in 12 years, and will feature offerings from top Dallas chefs, artisans, wineries, breweries and more.
This year’s event celebrates a variety of locally crafted specialty food and products. Samples of culinary delights will be featured from Dallas chefs like Chad Houser of Cafe Momentum, Janice Provost of Parigi, Mark Wootton of Garden Cafe and more. Attendees also can enjoy local craft beers, cocktails and wines from Texas makers and resellers such as Fall Creek Vineyards and Times Ten Cellars.
The evening’s entertainment will include live music featuring Texas country band Brazos Valley Boys, swing dancing and a silent auction where attendees can bid on art, gift baskets, local restaurant gift cards and more.
“This year the Hoedown is all about celebrating our local farmers, chefs, vendors, foodies and artisans,” said Mark Wootton, president of the Dallas Farmers Market Friends and executive chef at Garden Cafe. “Returning the event to The Shed makes the 20th anniversary all the more special, and we’re very excited to come together to support the future of the market.”
Tickets are on sale now for $50. Funds raised will benefit the Dallas Farmers Market Friends and its programs that support the Dallas Farmers Market, especially the upcoming construction of the Mama Ida Papert Teaching Garden at the eastern end of The Shed. The garden will be named after “Mama” Ida Papert, the beloved founder of the Friends and avid supporter of the local farmer.
I am so disappointed with the current Dallas Farmer’s Market!!! We are a family of six and have come to the farmer’s market for years. We loved being able to get fresh fruits and vegetables year around grown in many different states or other countries. Currently, you have to either be a local farmer or know the farm (Texas only) to bring in their produce. This not only minimizes what you can purchase, it also is shutting down produce stands that have sold for years to us faithful families. We are hurting these people’s future, as well as, not being able to bring home wonderful produce. Now, you can purchase candles and lunch more easily than produce for your meals. I do support local vendors, believe me! But, I think the new owner’s/administration of the market has done many people wrong by limiting their sale of produce!!! I’m so sad, going to the market was such a treat! We live in Allen and would come down to Dallas on a regular basis just to bring home the freshest produce. In most cases, we cannot get the quality of what we regularly bought there from our local grocer!! I’m so disappointed!!!
What do you think those produce re-sellers were doing to the local farmers? BTW, the same produce you got from the re-sellers was no different than what the grocery stores stock, just more expensive..When you see a Dole sticker on those bananas you got a clue. Best believe it.