MACUNGIE, Pa. - Former Macungie Councilman Linn Walker volunteered at the Macungie Farmers Market for more than 10 years, helping and being a friend to many vendors during most of the market’s lifetime.
After Walker recently passed away, members of the market wanted to do something they thought would last.
“He’d always go and sit at the picnic table and smoke a cigarette,” remembered event coordinator, volunteer and former Borough Manager Chris Boehm. “And then I'd have to tell him ‘Linn! You can’t smoke here, this is a non-smoking market.’”
So the organizers of the farmers market decided to dedicate and refurbish that picnic table in Walker’s honor.
Boehm said in the years that she helped lead the market, he was a big help.
“No matter what he always was, he was there for me,” said Boehm. “So I really wanted to do this for him.”
Thursday is the celebration of the Macungie Farmers Market’s “Sweet 16” anniversary.
For the celebration, the farmers’ market will be giving out dessert, doing face paintings, and inviting local nonprofit agencies to take part.
Vendors, nonprofits, and market sponsors will also have celebration specials at their stands.
Free birthday cake and balloons will be available at the information booth.
The dedication ceremony for Walker’s picnic table will open the event at 4 p.m.
“He was a really good guy,” Bohem said. “His wife will be attending, so we're really happy about that. We're happy that we can do something to show our appreciation. We're sorry that we didn't do it while he was alive, but his death really caught us off guard.”
The Macungie Farmers Market is open 4-7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 27 at Macungie Memorial Park.
