Crowds return for Tift Park Community Market reopening

ALBANY — After the south Georgia sun came out and burned off the early-morning chill hanging in the air, hundreds of patrons — some regulars and some taking in the scene for the first time — made their way to Albany’s historic Tift Park for the reopening of the Friends of Tift Park Community Market.

A number of new vendors were among the more than 50 that showed up for the kickoff of the second season of the weekly market, and eager patrons came out in droves to pick up early produce, arts, crafts, jewelry and goodies under a cloudless blue sky.

“It couldn’t be a more beautiful day,” Albany attorney Walter Kelley said as he and wife Lisa checked out vendor booths with their English golden retreiver Yancey. “This is just something wonderful for Albany.”

Stephen Brimberry, the primary organizer of the Community Market, said the event had quickly “gotten back into the groove.”

“Everyone seems to be excited about having the market back,” Brimberry said. “We have several new vendors here today, and a lot of the favorites from last year are back. We’ve had a lot of folks in their (Snickers) marathon T-shirts come in, and we’re hoping some of the runners will come by after they finish the race.

“We’re just excited to be a part of this big weekend in Albany.”

Lew and Maelu Culpepper, who live nearby on Sixth Avenue, said they were happy to see the market return.

“We came just about every week last year; it’s just a great event,” Lew Culpepper said. “It allows us to show off the Rawson Circle area to people who don’t come over this way much.”

The Culpeppers purchased earrings and a Bluebird first aid kit (“I used to work at Bluebird,” Lew Culpepper explained.) Saturday and were looking for more bargains.

“We bought bird houses, honey, fresh veggies, and a bunch of arts and crafts last year,” Lew Culpepper said. “We go over to St. Simons a couple of times a year and they have nice markets. It’s really great to see something like this in our community.”

Ed Walls and his buddy Kenny Sproul took time out from their shopping to have a snack as the clock neared noon.

“We come out every week they have the market,” Walls, a retired Marine and landscaper, said. “It’s fun just watching the people. I think this is a fabulous idea, it livens up Albany. And it’s just going to get better as the weather gets warmer.”

Ned and Marian Jones sold herbs and homemade soaps at their Dixie Dreams Farm booth during their initial visit to the market since they moved “back home” to Dixie — between Valdosta and Thomasville — from Athens.

“We’re pleased with the turnout, pleased with the response we’ve gotten,” Ned Jones said. “We go to a lot of festivals, but a relative told us about the market and we decided to come over and check it out. We definitely plan to come back.”