DOWAGIAC — Downtown Dowagiac will be getting ready for summer with the return of its Farm and Artisan Market next month. Visitors to the market will be able purchase fresh, green produce, handmade crafts, colorful flowers and more.

The Dowagiac Farm and Artisan Market will kick off its sixth season on Saturday, June 1 and is open seasonally from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays until the second week of October. The market is located on the lawn of the Dowagiac Area History Museum, located at the corner of Division and Railroad streets.

“The Farm and Artisan Market will resume its location downtown at Division and Railroads streets, upon the lawn of the Dowagiac Area History Museum. The location provides easy access and visibility to M-62, which is one of the major arteries coming into the city,” said Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority.

The market will offer items such as produce, flowers, art and other non-food items.

“Farmers, backyard growers, businesses and local artisans will have the opportunity on Saturdays and Wednesdays to sell their fruit and produce, annuals and perennials, baked goods and other Michigan or hand-made products downtown,” Phillipson said.

According to Phillipson, Sprague Farms will be returning to the market to feature vegetables, fruit and fresh cut flowers. Also returning will be Suellen Gause, who sells original photography, prints and notecards; Creek house Greenhouse, with perennial and annual flowers; Dussel’s Farm Market and Greenhouses, with flowers; Sara Gibson, with bath salts, jewelry and hand-made items; and Griffin Farms, which will sell fruit, organic honey, eggs, fish and beef.

Phillipson also said she is pleased to welcome Earl Collins to the market beginning the second Saturday of June.

“Earl is well known in the community for his rib tips, barbecued chicken and pulled pork. Sides will also be available, including coleslaw and baked beans, which visitors to the market can enjoy and take home with them,” Phillipson said.

Space is available at the market for $10, with an overhead canopy. Vendors without a canopy can rent one from the DDA for an additional $2.

Growers and artisans can register to participate in the market by contacting Vickie Phillipson at (269) 782- 8212 or by email at Vphillipson@Dowagiac.org.