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There will be a youth “takeover” of the Franklin Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Market Manager Robert Campbell is looking for interested participants.

“I’m getting ready to put on a youth market where only kids from third grade to 12th grade can participate,” he said. “If they help on the family farm, they can bring produce that they helped grow, or if they bake or do canned goods, they can (bring) that.”

The market, located at 210 S. Main St., has routinely expanded to offer more than simply food, and this youth market will be no exception.

Campbell said that young people who are active with the arts and crafts can bring the product of their labor in those areas to the market as well. 

“I’ve even got it set up (that) if they have an original song, they can perform it at the market,” he said.

The young people involved in this market will not only be the ones providing and presenting the offerings but also the merchants selling them.

“I’m not having any of my regular vendors,” Campbell said. “It’s just going to be youth.”

In addition to having the opportunity to make some sales, the market’s young participants will also have the chance to win some awards. 

Campbell noted that he will be putting together a panel of judges that will evaluate the offerings of the youth at the market and award ribbons and trophies accordingly.

Partnering with the Franklin Farmers Market for this event are the Southampton County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension and Franklin City Public Schools.

The youth market will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.