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Along Depot Street, Saturday mornings can be a busy time as many vendors line up to experience the Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market. 

On Saturday, July 13, the atmosphere was positive in another way. 

Veggie Fest – featuring a costume contest allowing kids to dress as their favorite vegetable and more – took place for the second year in a row. 

“Coming out of COVID, we were looking for just kind of new and innovative ways to get people engaged…in a discussion about local kind of food and food sources, and eating healthy in a different way than we’d ever done,” said Becky Kissick, the Clark County Public Health Director. “We’ve got an incredible farmers market here.” 

Days before the event, the Clark County Health Department advertised some information. 

Among them were the fact that fruits and veggies may lose some of their nutrients during the course of transport. 

For example, vitamin C can begin to degrade in fresh fruits and veggies shortly after harvesting. 

Beneficially, since locally grown produce usually doesn’t travel far or sit in storage, it often retains more nutrients. 

Such is advantageous for the many shoppers attending the farmers market on a regular basis. 

When the costume contest began, it was an exciting time for all. 

With Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed and Ken Howard, owner of Penguin Pottery, serving as judges, young ones walked down a red carpet in various costumes as if attending an actual fashion show. 

Among the costumes students chose to wear were multiple strawberry outfits, a watermelon, bag of tomatoes, carrot, ear of corn and watermelon. 

Ultimately four-year old Watson Bratcher was named the winner for his unique costume of a rain cloud. 

Specifically, Watson wore a hat with white cotton attached – simulating a cloud – with a shirt featuring tomatoes and more. 

Thus, it symbolized that rain from clouds could be utilized to help grow vegetables. 

“He’s got so many favorite vegetables and fruit to eat…so it was hard to come up with an idea,” said mother Katie Bratcher. “I looked on Pinterest, and saw the rain cloud [outfit].” 

As a result, Bratcher was able to take home a prize basket consisting of a jump rope, fishing pole, magnetic tiles, and outdoor game set. 

However, all the kids provided an exciting experience. 

“That is absolutely the best part….we’re getting them engaged and talking about it and that’s really all we had hoped for,” Kissick said. “We look forward to doing it again next year…it absolutely would not be possible without the support of the Farmer’s Market and every one of these vendors.”