Weekend market returns to Maynooth

By Chris Houston

August 17 saw a weekend market return to Maynooth. The town had hosted a farmers market for over 20 years until 2022. After a gap year in 2023, the market has returned. Organizers Dave and Kelly Hunt now host the market at the original location, 33090 Hwy. 62, the site of the former Maynooth Community Center.
In an interview with Bancroft This Week, Dave Hunt said that the couple had been cottaging in Maynooth for 24 years and previously enjoyed visiting the original farmers market. The Hunts live in Ingersoll, although Dave spends half his time at the couple's cottage on Cannon Lake in Maynooth. Dave is the owner-operator of KLH-RV, a mobile recreational vehicle repair company and Kelly is a retiree who had worked in policing for 39 years.
Feeling sad that the town had lost its market, Dave Hunt chatted to municipal staff, read up on the bylaws, and relaunched the market. He praised the collaborative spirit of the township staff Chantelle Beaumier and David Stewart, “They were amazing to work with, really really good to work with, and it really helped everything along.”
Dave and Kelly organize insurance and permits for the event, keeping everything compliant. They charge vendors $10 per week for a 10 foot by 10 foot booth. There were 23 booths at the most recent Aug. 31 market.
Dave Hunt said that the market sold a diverse range of wares, “everyone had something different.” Items sold at the market include fresh flowers, linen, art, art supplies, antiques, crafts, stationary and greetings cards, produce, dog treats, toys, jewelry, hand-made fishing supplies, placemats, quilts, towels, soaps, incense, maple syrup, honey. Think Turtle Conservation Initiative and Moose FM also had a presence at the most recent market on Aug. 31.
Dave Hunt believes that the Saturday market is a benefit to Maynooth's retail stores, and said that “everyone comes into town on a Saturday, then they go to the service station, they go to the liquor store, they go to the general store, there is so much in this little town.”
Dave Hunt reported positive feedback from the community about the market. He said, “I've had people come up to me and shake my hand and thank me for bringing the market back. I've had merchants downtown do it, I've had vendors do it.” Profits from hot dog sales on the first two markets were donated to the Maynooth school's breakfast club, according to Hunt.
Hastings Highlands chief administration officer David Stewart told Bancroft This Week that “Dave and Kelly Hunt's hard work, time, and dedication organizing a Morning Market in Maynooth is appreciated by the municipality. It's been a rewarding experience to work with such community focused individuals and the municipality looks forward to working with Dave and Kelly going forward.”
There are weekend morning markets scheduled on Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dave Hunt said that, “It's only $10 for a 10x10 booth, we are looking for more vendors, next year I'd like us to have 25 vendors every week. I would really like to thank the general public for how well they have taken to it.”
Hunt encouraged potential vendors to text him via 519-485-2480 or email via klhrv2018@gmail.com.