Mary Gray Black's vision of Largo's Harvest Marketplace and Ulmer Park goes something like this.
"Wouldn't it be fun," the city commissioner said recently, "if you happened to be living near West Bay Drive and were lucky enough to just need to go across the street to get your fresh fruits and vegetables?''
The Harvest Marketplace kicks off its fourth season in Ulmer Park on Nov. 5. When the gazebo at Ulmer Park was created about five years ago, the market was exactly the type of event city leaders envisioned being held there, according to Black.
"Ulmer Park is a little green spot right in the center of the city," she said. "It is also in the area where people have always gathered to celebrate different occasions in Largo.''
Since 2006, the market has included local businesses selling fresh produce and Tampa Bay-based artists selling their wares. This year, the Harvest Marketplace organizers aim to include more green vendors.
"We're trying to incorporate more products geared towards sustainable living,'' said Tanya Fazekas, special events planner for the city of Largo.
Fazekas also has scheduled live entertainment throughout the season. Acoustic guitarist Rocky Ruckman, who has performed at the Harvest Market since its inception, will woo the crowd on opening day. Rebekah Pulley also will appear this season.
Pulley, a singer/songwriter who describes her style as Americana, is frequently heard on WMNF-FM 88.5 and performs regularly at the Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Petersburg. Pulley performed for the first time at Ulmer Park on Oct. 9 during a Sunset Sounds event.
She was pleased to see some of her regular fans sitting in the grass near the Ulmer Park gazebo. Her biggest challenge was determining where Ulmer Park was, since the Largo clock tower is not a landmark anymore.
"I got a little lost driving to the park, but once we set up, it was charming,'' she said.
Pulley sees Ulmer Park as a good spot for an open-air market.
"I noticed the older-style setting with the newer developed buildings around it," she said. "I'd love to be one of those people who are able to just walk outside and buy groceries, and the covered gazebo is great for playing music.''
If you go
What: Largo's Harvest Marketplace
When: Starting Nov. 5, it will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday through April 29
Where: Ulmer Park, 301 W Bay Drive
Special promotion: Be one of the first 200 customers on Nov. 5 and receive a free "green" bag.
For more information: Visit largoevents.com or call (727) 587-6740, ext. 5015
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