Lilly takes over as new market master for Columbia City Farmers Market

(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Chris Lilly of Avis Acres Farms has been named the new Columbia City Farmers Market market master. Lilly is shown above on his northern Whitley County farm with his wife, Jennifer, son Nicholas and daughter Rebecca. Below, outgoing market master Tiffany Herron has a lot to be pleased about having lead considerable growth in the market during recent years.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
After a period of tremendous growth and excitement for the Columbia City Farmers Market, market master Tiffany Herron is stepping down to continue managing the growth of her business, Laughing Lotus Yoga Studio. 
Under Herron's leadership, the market has become a thriving center of activity, commerce and entertainment each Saturday in downtown Columbia City -- spotlighting locally grown produce and
hand-crafted items. The market grew significantly in membership over the past several years, expanding well down Chauncey Street and onto Market Street. The market also expanded from being offered only on Saturdays to being offered on Wednesday nights as well.
Loon Lake area resident Chris Lilly of Avis Acres Farms has agreed to become the newest market master, taking reigns of the organization this month.
Lilly is looking forward to continued growth of the market in the coming weeks.
"It is my hope to continue to grow and nurture the farmers market as my predecessors have. I believe that Tiffany Herron did an excellent job," Lilly said. "My goals are to provide a warm, friendly environment for the community to shop the wonderful variety of vendors we have here in Whitley County."
"The fresh produce, plants, and the local crafts offer an excellent opportunity for everyone to find great deals from local vendors," Lilly added.
A two-year participant in the market, Lilly sees a lot in the Columbia City Farmers Market that everyone can enjoy.
"The thing that I enjoy the most about the market is the fact that everything sold comes from right here," he said. "Putting a face with something I buy is very comforting to me. When shopping the chain stores there is always that product that comes from another country that leaves me wondering how was this grown, or made and by whom? With the current economic environment, it makes me feel good to know that my purchases are helping support the local economy."
The Columbia City Farmers Market is set to open for the season on May 8. The market is open each Saturday until the second Saturday in October from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the Whitley County Courthouse
square.
Times have not yet been set for the season for Wednesday night markets.


While such excitement may or may not happen behind the swinging doors of local restaurants, there's bound to be a significant level of excitement tomorrow night as some of the regions top chefs compete at the Eagles Nest Event Center. 

She's a different kind of cowgirl alright, but we'd bet you didn't know she was a pageant girl at one time too! 

















