By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Summer is here which means Helena Market Days will return and become a popular weekend fixture at the Helena Amphitheater as a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, performers, chef demonstrations and new offerings are scheduled for 2018.

Helena Market Days will kick off Saturday, June 2, from 8 a.m. to noon and will run every Saturday morning through the summer. Each week will offer new and existing vendors, new performers, featured chefs and a variety of featured non-profit organizations.

The kick off on June 2 will feature performer Thomas Trussell, featured chef Brian Vizzina of Bare Naked Noodles and LifeSouth will be the featured non-profit organization.

The farmers and vendors at the Helena Amphitheater on June 2 will include the following:

–Evans Farm offering peaches, seasonal vegetables and fruits
­–George Family Farm offering pastured beef, pork, chicken and lamb
­–Latta Farms offering flowers, herbs, jams and seasonal vegetables
–Bee Creek Farms offering local honey and flavored whipped honey
–Mori Farms offering seasonal vegetables and pickles

–Southern Oaks Farm offering seasonal fruit and vegetables

–KC Seafood offering fresh Gulf seafood

–JnS Treasured Creations offering custom wooden home decor and furniture

–Skull Girl Soaps offering scented soaps and candles

–Brady’s Natural offering pickles, jams, apple butter, seasoning blend

–Smoked offering BBQ sauce

–Frios offering popsicles

–The Rolling Scones offering pastries and breakfast items

–From My Hart Hats offering custom made hats

New to Helena Market Days will include the inaugural black and blueberry festival on June 16, a public service day on June 23, peaches and ice cream day on June 30 and more.

The following is a schedule for Helena Market Days as of May 30 that includes performers, chefs and non-profits. The schedule is subject to change.

–June 2: Thomas Trussell performing, featured chef Brian Vizzina of Bare and non-profit LifeSouth

–June 9: Kevin Smith performing, featured chef to be determined and non-profit YMCA Pelham.

–June 16: Inaugural black and blueberry festival with Heather Batey Voice & Piano Studio performing, featured chef to be determined and non-profit Two by Two Animal Rescue.

–June 23: Public service day to honor Helena’s first responders and public servants with featured chef Austin Davis of The Bright Star and non-profit Jehovas Witnesses.

–June 30: Peaches and ice cream day with Katie Slagle performing, featured chef Brandon of Whole Foods and non-profit Decoding Dyslexia.

–July 7: Featured chef Scariotta and non-profit LifeSouth.

–July 14: BBQ Cook off contest

Helena Market Days exists as a venue for local farmers and producers to sell directly to residents of Helena and its neighboring cities. Scot Newman is the market manager and can be reached directly at 313-377-9078 or by email at Helenamarketday@gmail.com.

For more information on Helena Market Days including a farmer’s list, weekly scheduled events and links to chef recipes, visit Helenamarketdays.com.