Hello from the Market Master: Looking Ahead to Another Incredible Season at the Port Austin Farmers Market
My name is Lisa Marie Samann and I've had the honor to serve our community as Market Master since 2023. Over the past few years, our market has continued to thrive. Growing in attendance, variety, and regional recognition, despite broader economic challenges and the local State Park closure. In fact, 2025 performed slightly better than 2024, a testament to the dedication of our vendors, the enthusiasm of our visitors, and the unwavering support of our community.
Food row has seen an increase in new vendors and offers a greater variety of unique, high quality products. Our holiday markets have reached record vendor numbers and consistently operate at full capacity. We have also been able to provide increased support for local nonprofits with our weekly 50/50 raffles, contributing to meaningful assistance to organizations throughout our community.
With the introduction of both Flower Day and the Harvest Market, new events have quickly become popular traditions and continue to grow each season. These additions, along with the momentum of our vendors and visitors, reflect a market that is strong, stable, and headed in a positive direction. Of special note and appreciation, we have been very fortunate to gather an absolutely stellar team of dedicated volunteers that are invaluable to the success of every single market day.
This past year, we proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Port Austin Farmers Market, marking two decades of commerce, creativity, and community, a testament to the vision and hard work that began with John and Lisa Pridnia. Yet even as we honor such an important milestone, the momentum doesn't stop here. Our market has become one of Port Austin’s most valued assets, not only for local vendors and our small businesses, but for our residents, seasonal visitors, and the economic vitality of the region.
Maintaining our reputation as one of the most successful and well-known farmers markets in Michigan, indoor or outdoor, is a responsibility we take seriously. And it is always our intention to keep improving, adapting, and elevating what we offer.
The New Four-Season Pavilion: A Promising Asset for the Future
The beautiful new four-season open-air pavilion is currently under construction. A project of the Village of Port Austin, our hardworking and dedicated governing municipality. We are honored to have the opportunity to utilize this new public facility as part of our Farmers Market environment.
Because this pavilion has generated excitement, curiosity, and a fair share of questions, I want to provide clarity about how we are approaching its potential use. First and foremost, nothing is changing immediately.
Before altering the market layout, logistics, or structure of a market that already functions extremely well, we must ensure that any integration of the pavilion fully supports, not disrupts, the experience for vendors, visitors, local businesses, and the community. There is far more happening behind the scenes than many realize: arrival and departure logistics, foot-traffic flow, safety, aesthetics, accessibility, congestion management, and overall vendor/visitor experience all must be carefully evaluated.
Our guiding mission is simple: the pavilion should serve as an asset to the market, not a replacement for or disruption to what already works.
At this time, we are exploring ways it could enhance the market such as: live music hosted under the pavilion, special activities or features that complement market day, expanding community programming that encourages visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply, and hosting vendors during foul weather days.
Whatever direction we take, we will do so with the utmost care and respect for the voices of our vendors, village officials, board members, and our business community. This market represents livelihoods. It represents families. It represents economic stability for Port Austin. Because of that, every decision will be thoughtful, measured, and rooted in what is best for our market and community as a whole.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
We are incredibly excited for the 2026 season, which will include:
An extended market calendar, running three additional weeks until October 24 that the pavilion will help facilitate
More off-season markets and special events
Continued focus on stability, vendor success, and visitor engagement
The Port Austin Farmers Market has grown into a regional destination. Each year we welcome new faces, new vendors, new businesses, and new energy. Each year our commitment remains the same: to protect, enhance, and celebrate this cornerstone of our community.
We are deeply grateful to the Village of Port Austin for its hard work and vision in bringing the new pavilion project to life. We look forward to seeing how this tremendous asset will help support a longer, more vibrant market season and create opportunities for growth for decades to come.
Here’s to our past 20 years and to the bright future ahead. Thank you for supporting the Port Austin Farmers Market. We cannot wait to welcome you back.
