Ed DeGaris Memorial Farmers Market: A Heartfelt Tribute to a Community Champion

Shoppers were out Saturday morning at the Ed DeGaris Memorial Farmers Market to buy fresh produce, meat, baked goods and handcrafted items.

In dedicating the market Thursday to the late Poplar Bluff city councilman and police officer who gave much of his retirement to the community, city manager Matt Winters talked about the building being a hands on project.

“I mean, he was literally hands on and getting this thing built. It is because of him that we have this and we thought it’d be appropriate and a nice tribute to Ed and what he did for our community here in Poplar Bluff to name this building after him,” Winters said.

Everyone wanted the sign up before the first market of the season, Winters said.

He welcomed the DeGaris family to speak.

“Ed loved this town as much as anybody in his family and he took care of it about the same way,” DeGaris’ widow Lisa Jones DeGaris said. “The rest of us will do anything we can if you need help with anything.”

DeGaris’ grandson Ashton, 13, who worked alongside his grandfather, represented the DeGaris family in cutting the ribbon.

The market being named for his grandfather is “amazing,” Ashton said.

Saturday, market manager Debbie Merciers said 22 vendors showed up to sell their products ranging from meat, produce, baked items, plants, crafts, aprons, wax melts, bath bombs, jewelry. Ten vendors were there for the first time.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays continuing until September.