Seminole Heights Sunday Market Set for Return

The Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market will enter its fourth year when it opens on Oct. 14 with over 80 vendors setting up on the lawn at Hillsborough High School.

The market is a grass roots effort to encourage people to buy locally grown produce and to provide local agricultural producers, artisans, crafters and food vendors a retail outlet for their goods. Opening day promises to be a fun occasion in itself, with live music and plenty of entertainment for the kids.

"We've got new vendors coming in and everyone is really excited about coming back," Tampa Bay Markets organizer Greg Barnhill said. "The neighborhood and all the neighborhood associations have always been very supportive. This market is one of our most successful and the vendors all say they love it because everyone is so friendly and outgoing."

The Seminole Heights rendition of the market is one of several staged by Tampa Bay Markets around the Tampa Bay area, but according to Barnhill, it's different because of the neighborhood feeling that is present.

"All of our other markets are in retail centers like the Wiregrass Mall in Wesley Chapel or Hyde Park Village in South Tampa," Barnhill said. "You're in the neighborhood when you come to the Seminole Heights Market. Hillsborough High School is a beautiful backdrop and when people who don't know much about Seminole Heights come in and see that, it changes their perception in a positive way about the neighborhood."

The market is open on the second Sunday of every month from October-May. For more information, visit www.tampabaymarkets.com.