Extreme heat pushes farmers market toward earlier hours

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) – Vendors at the Jackson Farmers Market are considering opening earlier for the remainder of the season as extreme afternoon heat affects attendance and sales.

Carmen McNeely said the market attracted a strong crowd earlier in the day, but customer traffic slowed as temperatures climbed.

“We did have a good crowd early, but now it’s late in the afternoon, and we’re seeing the customers die down a little bit,” McNeely said.

The conditions have also made it uncomfortable for vendors working outside.

“You can probably see, we’re all very hot,” McNeely said. “It seems like late afternoon to midafternoon, it really gets almost unbearable out.”

McNeely said the market will likely begin opening at 10 a.m. for the rest of the season, depending on the weather.

The earlier start could allow customers to shop before the hottest part of the day while giving vendors a better opportunity to make sales.