Fort Erie should soon have its new farmers market.

A project of the Rideway BIA, it is being spearheaded by one of its members, Karin DiBiase.

“We are scheduled to launch in May, aiming for the long weekend,” she said.

Fort Erie council supported the plan in February and now the new market is about to be a reality.

Fifteen to 20 vendors are expected. The market will be set up on Ridge Road, in the parking lot adjacent to the Friendship Trail.

“We are almost full and 90 per cent are local producers,” said DiBiaise.

It will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until September.

Grimsby is also going to be seeing a new farmers market up and running in May.

A meeting with the Grimsby Economic Development Advisory Committee in February to assess interest was a huge success.

“We have had terrific support from the downtown merchants, the general public and town council,” said Michelle Seaborn, a member of the committee.

“Grimsby is a very vibrant town (with) not much vacant land. Our goal has always been to keep within walking distance of downtown.”

The market will be located at St. George’s Ukrainian Church on Ontario Street, across from the public library, one block north of Main Street.

“The beauty of the spot is it is completely fenced so it will be pedestrians only.”

There is parking at the library and a municipal just steps away.

There is space for 18 full-time and two or three part-time vendors. “We have almost got to the point where we have a waiting list,” said Seaborn.

The market will be open Thursday evenings, 4:30 p.m. to dusk from May 8 to Oct. 9.