A BIRTHDAY celebration will be held for one of the most popular markets in the South Lakes area.

Kendal’s Farmers’ Market is turning 20 this summer and to celebrate organisers are throwing a birthday party fit for its anniversary on August 30.

Expect fun for all ages, including competitions to win a hamper full of goodies, entertainment, live music and even a hog roast.

Held usually on the last Friday of each month, this time the Market Place, in the town centre, will be bursting with around 30 exquisite food and drink stalls.

From meat and cheese to fruit and veg produce, traders will be descending on the town from all corners of the county and beyond to sell their top quality local products.

Jane Merritt, who sells cakes and is the director of the Farmers’ Market, said the crux of the success was due to the loyal customers who had been coming for many years.

“It’s a two-way process,” she said. “We help the customers and they help us.

“It’s also important for younger generations to come and get first-hand information on where their food comes from, what to buy and how to cook it.”

Peter Gott, of Sillfield Farm, said it was definitely a celebration worth having.

“This market is an incredibly important part of the social community,” he said.

“You create good and honest relationships with the customers.

“We sell regional varieties of local produce which is not as commercially intensive as what’s out there now in the supermarkets.”

Mr Gott, who has been selling at markets since he was 17, also said that there had been huge successes up and down in the country for farmers’ markets as well some “casualties”.

“We have a good following up here,” he continued.

“It’s about people wanting to come for more. People do get fed up of the same old thing in the supermarkets. While here you get answers and people love to come for just a natter.”

Along with selling local produce on the day, Farm to Fork Roadshow will be coming with some farm animals, including sheep and hens so that families and children can get up close and learn more about the world of farming and where our food comes from.

The Allotment Growers Society will be filling up its wheelbarrows too and will be dotted around the market selling its own produce.

Sarah Williams, manager of Kendal BID, said the birthday was truly worth celebrating as the not-for-profit organisation and traders had been through a rollercoaster of a journey to secure its future over the past 20 years.

“It’s a family and a community we have here,” she said.

“This celebration is testament to the hard work of the producers and farmers that make the market the success it is today.

“Whether it’s raining or snowing there will still be a large number of stalls on the day.

“Anything that brings people to the town has to be a good thing, and this market does just that.”

From The Magnificent Marshmallow Company to We’ve Gone Beans and Lentils, The StoneHouse Smokery, Cumbrian Pie Company, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese and Neville’s Nice Lollies, there will be plenty for customers to feast their eyes on.

The market starts at 9am and will finish at 3pm.