It's a community space connecting producers with consumers. It's also a method for entrepreneurs to sell their wares.

In Lititz's downtown business district, "market" is both a noun and a verb.

"For most of the vendors, (local entrepreneurship is) a full-time thing," said Emily Allen, the executive director of Venture Lititz, which sponsors the annual farmers market downtown. "They do stands and markets. For some, it might be a side business. But it's a great way for them to introduce themselves to the community. In this day and age, having a brick-and-mortar building might not be feasible. We want to give the vendors an opportunity to show what they can do and share the things they make with the people from Lititz."

Venture Lititz will open this year's edition of its annual farmers market at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Vendors will offer their wares on the east end of Lititz Springs Park, at 24 N. Broad St., Lititz, until 7 p.m.

The farmers market will operate every Thursday until Oct. 16. The recurring event, which will start at 3 p.m. during the months of May and June, at 4 p.m. during the months of July and August and at 3 p.m. during the months of September and October, is free to attend, and shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags and baskets.

"It's happy," said Allen. "You can plan on getting your meals for the week, and you can sit in the park. It's a way to sit outside and enjoy Lititz this time of the year. It's pet friendly. It's kid friendly. There are always people there."

The Venture Lititz farmers market is a bit more diverse than the traditional farmers market. Each week will feature at least 15 vendors, including two dedicated to produce, a few offering prepared foods and a couple of food trucks.

Also available will be baked goods, eggs, dog treats, plants and flowers. The majority of the vendors are from the Lititz area.

"It's different, interesting foods that we don't have downtown," said Allen. "People can try them and see if they like them. The goal is to bring people into town and provide a place that's easily walkable for people to get produce. Some vendors have started at the farmers market and ended up having businesses downtown."

The farmers market takes on a festival vibe with the presence of live music, crafts, a kids' stand and other children's activities.

"My favorite part of the farmers market is taking my kid there," said Allen. "It's safe. It's welcoming. I like seeing her interact with vendors. She can run around, and she knows everybody. Her friends from school end up coming. Each week we run into somebody we haven't seen in a while."

In addition to offering a unique experience, the items and produce offered each week at the Venture Lititz farmers market could change as the seasons change.

"Once you come one time, you'll want to be there every week," said Allen. "It's a fun Thursday, and I love seeing all the kids. It's one of my favorite things that we do."

"One of the things that makes Lititz unique is how connected everyone is," added Allen. "That's what makes this event so special. Things like the farmers market is more for people who are local, and it brings them together."

Venture Lititz's next event, Taste of Lititz, is scheduled for Friday, June 6. The downtown business-promoting organization will also conduct its Apoca-Lititz 5K on Saturday, Oct. 25, its annual gala near the end of the year, its annual Fire & Ice winter carnival in February of 2026 and its yearly spring cleanup next April.

"(The farmers market) is not a money-making thing for us," said Allen. "The point of Venture Lititz is to bring people into Lititz and showcase the downtown. This is another way to do that and to keep people local. Our ultimate goal is to bring more people in. We do it on Thursdays because it doesn't compete with other businesses downtown."

Currently, there are nearly 60 businesses open in Lititz's downtown shopping district.

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzpa.com.