The perennially popular Lyme Farmers Market at Ashlawn Farm in Lyme opens again Saturday from around 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
But the sad news this year is that the irrepressible, larger-than-life impresario of the market, Chip Dahlke, has announced this will be his last season with the market, “Unless…” and this is Chip’s endearing dry humor rising to the surface, “… a deranged individual or some goody two-shoes organization wants to take on the burden.”
In his ever upbeat, positive spirit, however, Chip urges, “Let’s make this summer one to remember. The field should be full of vendors and the entertainment the best of what we’ve had for the last 12 years,” adding with his usual sharp wit, “There’s still not going to be eggplant carving contests, erotic vegetable displays, or god forbid poodle parades.”
The big draw of farmers’ markets is, of course, the fresh, local produce. What makes the one in Lyme so special is that it’s held on a real farm. And since this is the Lyme countryside, it’s as a pretty as a picture. In fact, Ashlawn Farm is a magnet for local artists who are attracted by its beauty—the old white homestead, the red barns, and the stone walls crisscrossing the pastures. An original member of the Connecticut Farmers Market Trail, Ashlawn Farm is located at 78 Bill Hill Rd. in Lyme.
The farm is celebrating its 126th anniversary this year. Ray Harding, a dairy farmer, bought Ashlawn in 1909. Today his grandson Chip lives there with his wife Carol and their three children. By profession, Chip is a portfolio manager and Carol runs her popular coffee-roasting business in one of the old barns on the property.
As always, Dahlke has lined up a stellar selection of vendors, which includes:
The vendors change week by week but you can be certain that every Saturday morning from June to October, tents will go up in front of barns and local purveyors will sell vegetables, fruit, breads, cheese, meat, soaps, chicken, fish, fiber, specialty food, crafts, flowers, herbs, eggs, seafood and more. Music will be played — Dogbite are performing on Opening Day –and Chip will surely spring a few Saturday surprises!Before the Market opens, Ashlawn Farm Yoga will be held at 8 a.m. each Saturday on the grass beyond the parking field for all levels. The class is taught by Lisa Tompkins Nasser. Drop in for only $15, which includes a free Ashlawn Farm cup of Coffee.
Sign up for Chip’s entertaining weekly e-newsletter here
Editor’s Note: Extracts of this article are taken from one written by Linda Ahnert that was originally published on LymeLine.com in June 2009.