Henderson Farmers Market to be Heritage Day star

Henderson is going to the market.

The city is slated to honor the Henderson Farmers Market, which is celebrating its 15th year in the Water Street District, at the 61st annual Henderson Heritage Day Parade and Festival.

Festivities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 26 in and around the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. Admission is free.

Along with the parade, which is scheduled to run down Water Street from Ocean Avenue to Victory Road at 10 a.m., the celebration is set to include a mayor and council’s breakfast at 9 a.m., a festival, food and craft vendors, a car show and entertainment. The International Food & Folklife Association is scheduled to team with the event and host Zumba Nation, a three-hour Zumbathon event, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Dave Star, who runs the Henderson Farmers Market, was chosen as this year’s parade grand marshal.

“I hope to live up to the duties,” he said.

The market started in Henderson when vendor Donna Eady decided to sell some of her California-grown produce in Nevada.

“We had never been to Las Vegas before, let alone Henderson,” she said. “We went in prayer, kind of winging it. We weren’t sure, so we just went for it.”

Her first station featured Maui onions and strawberries.

With the city of Henderson promoting it, the market grew.

Star, who worked as a vendor selling dolls in 2004, was asked to take over as manager.

“I started to get a good reputation,” he said.

In 2006 when construction on the Henderson Events Plaza was completed, the market moved its location down the street from Pacific Avenue to the area.

“And the rest is history,” Star said. “It’s just unbelievable.”

Eady said customers have been really faithful.

“Rain or shine, they are out,” she said. “Sometimes when it’s too windy to put up a tent, people are still coming out.”

The city added another market at the Henderson Pavilion, which has been managed by Star since it began three years ago.

Recently, the farmers market invited food trucks to the area to change the dynamic.

Star doesn’t know what the future will hold.

“I love doing this,” he said. “I’ll give it my best.”

Joining Star in the parade will be about 100 other entrants, including Beta Sigma Phi, an organization that predates the city’s incorporation, according to member Kathy Ohling.

Ohling said the organization decided to join the parade four years ago.

“We usually have a car,” she said.

Most years members ride in the car and walk beside it during the parade. Each year, members have added new elements such as a banner or shirts.

“This is our first stab at building a float,” Ohling said. “It’s not going to be hugely impressive. We have had fun building it.”

The float incorporates the organization’s mission of friendship along with the farmers market theme.

“We are already brainstorming about ideas for next year,” Ohling said.

For more information, visit hendersonlive.com.

Contact Henderson View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.