The Light Farms community in Celina recently hosted their Fall Festival and Market. Over a thousand neighborhood and city-wide residents filtered through the fun-filled event which brought local farmers, artisans and businesses together.
Beginning in the spring of 2014, Light Farms community’s developer Republic Property Group has been hosting seasonal festivals. It began as a promotion for the 1,070 acre neighborhood located around Homestead Court, and a few local farmers which deliver produce to many of its residents. However, the event has evolved to a place of a multitude of vendors, bounce houses, live music and petting zoo.
“We started the festival because we wanted to promote Johnson’s Backyard Garden and other local farmers,” said Jona Althaus, event coordinator for Republic Property Group. “It grew to what it is now with all of the local vendors. We just want people to come out and meet their local farmers and vendors, and buy local. We want to keep growing it.”
Light Farms Festival started out with fewer than 10 vendors. On Nov. 13, 30 vendors were present and ranging from fresh produce, plants for your home, hand-made jewelry and ceramics. Home décor brands were a large focus as well as food trucks including Kona Ice and Tribal Juice scattered around The Barnyard in Celina. Hay rides, a photo bus, henna tattoos and pet adoptions were also available.
“We try to keep everything local,” said Morgan Staton, creative director for Republic Property Group. “We also have a lot of people interested in buying a home here so this is kind of a marketing event for us as well. It’s a great way to meet your neighbor.”
Staton also states that the fall and spring festivals usually garner the largest turnouts due to weather and seasonal goods produced by the participating farmers. Light Farms’ next festival will be hosted in the spring of 2017.
