Zucchini 500 Zooming Back to Easton Farmers’ Market
Ladies and gentlemen, start your squashes. The 15th annual Zucchini 500 will return to Easton Farmers’ Market July 24. Join in the fun from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scott Park in Easton.
Kids ages 3-15 and adults (16+) can try to squash the competition as they carve zucchinis donated by Scholl Orchards, Cabbage Throw Farms and Salvaterra Gardens into sports cars, midsize vehicles or monster trucks in the 15th annual festival. Easton Farmers’ Market has all the supplies needed to soup up your zuke — wheels, axles, carving tools and decorations ($10). The Zucchini 500 pit crew will also be on hand to offer their car-building expertise. Cars cannot be pre-built.
“When we had the idea for this event 15 years ago, we had no idea if it would gain traction or if it would be squashed,” says Easton Market District Director Megan McBride. “But 15 years later, and it’s one of our zaniest and most beloved special events at Easton Farmers’ Market.
This will mark the first year the race moves to Scott Park. It’s previously been held in Centre Square, in front of Crayola Experience and even at SteelStacks. Registration is onsite and begins at 9 a.m. Once registered, participants can start carving near the stage, with races beginning at 11 a.m. All participants will receive a 2021 Zucchini 500 racing medallion.
The Zucchini 500 is officiated by NASCAR official Peter Brohl, who has been part of the race for 14 of the 15 years. He had a custom patch made for his NASCAR jumpsuit this year, which means he’ll be promoting the Zucchini 500 at all his NASCAR races.
Drivers race their zucchini vehicles by car type down a two-lane track. Events are split into a kids race and a grown-ups race. The fastest car in each category will receive a trophy, a goodie bag that includes gift cards to Bank Street Creamery and the Caramelcorn Shop, plus $25 in Easton Farmers’ Market tokens. Trophies will be awarded to the most creative car design in each category and to the winner of the Adult Race.
All the leftovers from Zucchini 500 will go to the Easton Compost Program, which diverts food waste from landfills and turns it into compost.
After the race, guests can enjoy zucchini faves throughout the market, including; the famous Zucchini Fries at K&S Grill, and many other zucchini treats.
Guest vendors include Hardball Cider, Be Love Succulents and Brady’s Botanicals.
2021 EFM Season Details
Masks are required in the shopping area for those who are not fully vaccinated. Hand sanitizer will be available at all vendor locations. The market is dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs will be welcome. Reusable shopping bags are encouraged.
Vendors accept cash, credit, Venmo, PayPal, checks and EBT. Visit eastonfarmersmarket.com for online ordering information for participating vendors.
Easton Farmers’ Market will continue to accept EBT as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Thanks to a USDA grant through Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley (BFBLGLV), the market will offer LV Fresh Food Bucks with EBT purchases matched by BFBLGLV, up to $10 per day. Those enrolled in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition
Program (FMNP) for qualified seniors, and those in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be able to use their vouchers at produce vendors who participate in their state’s programs.
Sponsors for the 2021 EFM season include: Capital Blue, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, IBEW Local 102, Nurture Nature Center, Easton Coach, Lehigh Valley Center for Sight and The Easton Home.