Friday was the opening day of the Francestown Community Market, and at the end stall, the Francestown 4-H club was squeezing lemons and selling lemonade with flavors they made using locally grown ingredients like rhubarb, dandelion and thyme. 

The 4-H club was approved to sell lemonade at the market after they were originally told they could not sell lemonade or baked goods if they wanted to participate as a vendor. The Francestown Community Market Committee said the original decision was based on the fact that there was another vendor that sold lemonade and they did not want to oversaturate the market.

During a meeting they requested with the market committee, the girls from the 4-H club read letters asking the committee to reconsider allowing the team to sell lemonade, and 4-H member parents and members of the community made arguments as to why the club should be allowed to participate as a lemonade-selling vendor. The committee ultimately decided to allow lemonade sales.

Attending the market with the girls were project leader Michelle Stone and club leader Jackie Henshaw, who was about to take her second trip to the Francestown Village Store for a restock of lemons. Stone said the girls were overjoyed upon hearing the news that they could sell lemonade at the market this season, and they had a busy first day.  

“We’ve had lots of customers,” said 4-H club member Ruby Stone, who added that they had almost sold out of their rhubarb flavor.

They club is planning to add and change its flavors depending on what is growing in the season. They’re considering raspberry, elderberry and mint this summer. 

By 5 p.m. on Friday, they had already sold out of the baked goods. They were also selling hand-sewn bookmarks. 

The Francestown Community Market is on Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the horse sheds in front of Town Hall. The Heritage Museum is open during market hours as well.

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