by Adam Frisk
Tents came down at Head Lake Park on Tuesday (Oct. 6) as the Haliburton County Farmers’ Market wrapped up its 2026 season, capping a summer that saw strong crowds and an increase in vendors at both the Haliburton and Minden markets.
Market manager Lexy Feinstein said peak attendance in Haliburton topped 2,000 visitors on some Tuesdays, while Saturdays in Minden regularly drew more than 1,000 people. Nearly 70 vendors took part at some point during the season, including 34 fulltime booths during the busiest part of the summer.
“The biggest win is getting new vendors to expand the community and to have more people coming to be with us,” Feinstein said.
Spending remained steady despite the economic pressures facing consumers, Feinstein said. The market also attracted a number of young entrepreneurs this year, including an 11-year-old who sold cookies.
With the 2026 season over, planning for next year is already underway. Feinstein said she wants to bring in more growers and food vendors for 2027. This Saturday is the final Minden market day.
