For More Information
Contact: Kitty Clemens
Economic Development Director
719-685-9741
CELL (719)-321-8561
March 14, 2006
For Immediate Release
Diana Dixon Hired as New Farmers Market Festival Manager in Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs (March 14, 2006) - Diana Dixon, a veteran of the farmer’s market industry has signed on to assist in the production of Midweek Market, Manitou Springs’ downtown weekly farmers market. Midweek Market is in its second year as a farmer’s market festival. It will be held every Wednesday, from June 7 through August 30, in Soda Springs Park starting at 4:00 p.m.
The 2006 farmer’s market festival promises to be bigger and better than last year’s event. Under the terms of the agreement with Ms. Dixon, an extensive network of farmers and unique food producers will be tapped to expand the fresh and organic products offered every Wednesday at Midweek Market in downtown Soda Springs Park. In addition, a “made in Manitou” program has been developed to accommodate all of the fabulous “one of a kind” art made in working studios in Manitou Springs.
Ms. Dixon also produces the Monument Farmers Market that is held every Saturday from June 3 to October 14. Under her guidance the Monument Farmers Market has grown from 27 vendors to over 100 vendors starting at 7:00 am each Saturday morning. Dixon also works at the Yuma Old Town Farmers Market in the winter months. She started in the industry by accident as a B& B owner in the San Francisco bay area where her trademark homemade jam attracted national attention and kept her B&B sold out most nights.
After moving the Colorado, Diana founded the Jam Lady, to make fire roasted Chipotle jams. The jams are directly marketed in farmer’s market settings along with her raw honey and 12 varieties of blossom honey she collects through an elite network of bee keepers in the Western United States. The raw honey is used extensively by allergy sufferers. “Blossom Honey is fascinating, stated Cathy Green, town manager for Monument. Diana takes time to help you understand how each flavor is developed from orange blossom to strawberry. My cupboard is full of special honey purchased from her in Monument farmer’s market outlet.”
"Knowing that Diana Dixon comes highly recommended by our friends in Monument, Manitou Springs is very excited about being able to hire her as our new Farmers Market Festival Manager”, stated, Eric Drummund, president of the Economic Development Council. “Not only will people from our town have access to her expertise as we continue to build on last year's Midweek Market, but when the Midweek Market finishes at the end of August, people from Manitou Springs can make the short drive to Monument to take advantage of the wonderful produce that will still be available until the middle of October,” concluded Drummund.
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