Fall in love again

Published 7:55 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2009

It’s back, and seemingly bigger than ever.

The third annul “Fall in love with Virginia” market will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shoppes on the Village Green in Governor’s Pointe Drive.

For the past two years, A Tisket, A Tasket Storeowner Ruth DiGeorge has been putting on the festival in an effort to highlight state retailers and producers of crops such as hams, peanuts and homemade goods.

Email newsletter signup

Since starting the festival two years ago, the demand and excitement has built.

“I’ve had people calling in, ‘When are you doing the fall market again?’” DiGeorge said. “It makes you feel good that people are that excited for it.”

This year, the market will again feature more than 25 vendors, each of whom have Virginia products. There will be gourmet food exhibits, Virginia artists and several additional miscellaneous exhibits that include candles, clothing and hand-blown glass.

DiGeorge said each year it has been fun to see how diverse the vendors get and what a varied supply of products there is on display. She added that the Shoppes on the Village Green’s summer farmer’s markets also have helped to bolster support for the annual fall festival.

“This year, for instance, we’re going to have fresh seafood out there,” DiGeorge said. “We had him out here over the summer, and the farmer’s market was so successful he decided to come out here again.”

The event on Saturday is free and open to the public.

Also at the market, the band Ancient Men will be playing. DiGeorge describes the band having a “James Taylor/Beach Boys” kind of sound. Additionally, SuffolkFirst Bank and Sentara Belleharbour will have informational booths set up in the market for people with any medical or banking questions.

“This is a big community event,” DiGeorge said. “It’s a good family event, because there is really something here for everyone.”

Last year, there were more than 1,000 people out shopping and DiGeorge, hoping for good weather, expects the same this year.

For more information about the event, call A Tisket, A Tasket at 238-3883.