More than spring is in the air as a busy weekend in Pendleton attests
PENDLETON — Amanda Brown took some time evaluating the condition of an antique spinning wheel for sale at a booth outside American Legion Post 119 in Pendleton on Saturday morning.
Ultimately, she made an offer of $25 to the seller, Larry Thompson, who had set up a spread of items as part of the Highway 38 Sale, which took place along the road between Noblesville and New Castle on Friday and Saturday.
“I’m a knitter, so I kind of collect this kind of stuff,” Brown said, as Thompson and his daughter, Shelly, held a couple of loose spindles up to the base of the device, showing where they should be connected.
“My neighbor does woodwork, so I’m kind of thinking he can help (restore it).”
The Highway 38 Sale was just one of several events — including a market, museum opening and annual plant sale — that had Pendleton bustling with activity, as several regular summer features of town life started their 2023 seasons.
Story continues below photos.
At mid-morning on Saturday, Amber Estes walked through the Pendleton Indiana Farmers Market, which opened on Saturday in Falls Park for the first time this year.
Estes, who also had a booth — Sugar Fork Farms — in the market, had picked up some honey, popcorn and radishes, with hopes of finding some asparagus.
Her full arms didn’t prevent her from stopping to chat with friend April Coleman, who was walking the other way.
Coleman said the bag she was holding contained candles she’d just purchased.
The market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in Falls Park through October.
Farmers market organizer Karyn Ledbetter said the market has signed up 105 vendors so far for this season.
There’s room for 76 booths at the market, but some vendors desire only select dates. On opening day there were about 50 vendors present.
Business seemed brisk in general, with lines at many booths, and people carrying purchases wherever one looked.
Annette Baker, who operates the Greenhouse Acres booth with her husband, Dave George, said they sold out of their top seller — freeze-dried candy — with about an hour left in the morning.
“And I had a lot more than I used to,” she said, noting they upped production of the flavor-intense treats this year compared to last.
Just past the east end of the market, Pendleton Historical Museum opened its doors for its regular season on Saturday.
The museum, which houses a wide range of items from the town’s past and plays host to speakers series and more, will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays through September.
On Saturday, a steady stream of visitors wandered through the exhibits, which include a large collection of Pendleton Heights High School memorabilia as well as displays about prominent and influential local residents, and more.
A little farther down Falls Park Drive, Pendleton Garden Club conducted its annual plant (and bake) sale under a tent outside the Community Building.
Business was “very good,” club member and booth volunteer Marilyn Strange said.
“Surprising,” fellow club member Ellen Leffel added.
“Because usually we’re inside this building,” Strange followed up, noting that the outdoor location seems to be an improvement. “It’s been really good.”
Garden club members donate plants (and baked goods), which are sold to benefit the club. They were also selling some impatiens, geraniums and salvia donated by Pendleton Elementary School.
Between the farmers market and State Road 38, Jo DeWitt and other members of Pendleton’s Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority, Mu Chapter, conducted the group’s annual rummage sale in a parking lot along with some other sellers.
The sorority was also selling its signature $3 meal — on this day, a hot dog, chips and a drink — which it also does at other events throughout the year.
The proceeds benefit the sorority, “to help out in the community,”
DeWitt said.
Funds help people in need pay for things such as utility bills, she said.
