MARYSVILLE – Santa brought the Christmas spirit to the Marysville Farmers Market last weekend.

“Christmas in July” was just one of the weekly themes the market has planned this summer.

Shawn Schrader, the new market manager, said the themes are just one way he is getting the community to interact more with the market.

“We’re trying to engage shoppers,” he said.

There is a game area for kids to play, an effort is being made to have more live music and nonprofits are being encouraged more to participate.

While in past years the event was dominated by people who made craft items, this year more farms are involved.

“There’s more farmers,” Schrader said. “It’s a balance, not just a craft fair.”

On this Saturday there were five vendors selling produce, including Tualco out of Monroe. They had raspberries for just $3 a pint. Nearby, others were selling the same item for as much as double that.

Also there was the Clear Valley Farm which sold not only fruits and vegetables, but meat, too, taking orders for turkeys even for November.

Vistors also could buy freshly cut herbs.

“You don’t have to figure out how to grow them,” Schrader said.

Military veterans play a part in growing food as part of dirt therapy at a farm in Mount Vernon. It has helped four people get plugged into job opportunities, Schrader said.

While some at the market are in the faith community, there is no evangelism at the event.

“We don’t just bow our head, we move our feet,” Schrader said.

“We are praying for the need of community engagement.”

He said many Farmers Markets are run by either farmers or hippies.

“We’re not like any other farmers market,” he said.

Schrader had volunteered before, but decided to take the reins after Mayor Jon Nehring talked to him about its potential.

“I can’t create programs,” Schrader said the mayor told him.

“We need people to step up.”

So Schrader did.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Closing Day Sept. 30.

Weekly themes are: Kids Day Carnival this weekend, followed by First Responder Appreciation, Cycle Rally, Home Run Derby, Hawaiian Luau, Kids Day “Hop, Skip, Jump,” Back to School Spirit, Kickoff Football Fanatics, Roll Back the Clock Classic Car Show and Kids “Super Hero Day.”

It is located next to City Hall at 1035 State St.

For details go to www.marysvillefarmersmarket.org.