Rain and brisk wind did not deter Western Pennsylvanians from flocking to the Ligonier Country Market’s season debut in Latrobe — its first event in a new location in 25 years.
About 3,000 customers perused the wares of 60 vendors Saturday morning, according to market Director Kelly Svesnik.
“It all went really smooth,” Svesnik said. “It’s nice to be a part of (Latrobe’s) neighborhood.”
Several vendors called off Friday and Saturday morning because of the rainy weather, she said. But the Country Market aims to expand its vendor capacity as the season progresses.
“We’re looking forward to some sunshine for next week,” Svesnik said.
Market considered at least 4 other locations
Maria DiPiazza, a member of the Country Market board, watched customers pour onto Ligonier Street as she operated a vendor tent for her daughter’s business, La Vigneta Winery.
“It’s just phenomenal. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback — all positive,” DiPiazza said. “Everybody’s very happy to have us here.”
The market — a 50-year-old local tradition that typically draws between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors each week — was previously held off Route 30 in Ligonier Township on 9.6-acre property owned by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association.
Watershed association leadership said they terminated the market’s lease Jan. 23 amid a dispute between the environmental organization and their longtime tenant.
Market organizers in recent months have pitched several alternative locations for the 2026 season — including downtown Ligonier, the Waterford fire station in Ligonier Township, Greensburg’s Lynch Field and the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity.
Latrobe City Council voted 5-1 Monday to approve a one-year agreement with the market.
Vendor: Market location uncertainty ‘was pretty jarring’
The uncertainty surrounding the market’s location came as a surprise to Susie Pisarcik, who sold potted flowers, fresh cut bouquets, succulents and herbs across the street from the Latrobe Art Center.
“It was surprising that such a well-established market was able to be dismantled like that,” said Pisarcik, whose family owns Pisarcik Flower Farm in Mars, Butler County. “It’s always been so well-attended.”
Pisarcik initially was concerned the market season would be canceled.
The flower farm typically decides a year in advance which markets it will attend and, accordingly, how many plants it should grow, she said — bracing the poles of her tent as strong winds whisked aromas of kettle corn, gyros and coffee down Ligonier Street.
“The inventory that we’re putting together to come to these markets, the work for it starts a year out,” she said. “Suddenly not having a home for a market that is a big part of our income, three months ahead of it typically starting, was pretty jarring.”
‘A great idea for Latrobe’
Sales from the Country Market alone account for about a third of vendor John Jackson’s retail income for the year, the owner of Real Fungi LLC said.
Jackson, of Pittsburgh’s North Side, has participated in the Country Market since he launched his business in 2017. He was pleasantly surprised by the turnout Saturday.
“The weather’s been awful,” he said, “but there are way more people than I expected — way more of my regulars. Social media stuff made it seem like everybody was against the Country Market. But I think that was just coming from a few really loud voices in Ligonier, because I’m seeing everybody.”
First-time Country Market vendor Bob Johnson, of Greensburg, estimates about 200 customers stopped to browse his selection of wooden flag signs.
“Honestly, I think this is a great idea for Latrobe,” said Johnson, owner of Johnson Specialized Flags. “They welcomed us as best they could, tried to help us out, especially on short notice and everything.”
The asphalt surface provided by the Ligonier Street location proved ideal for a rainy Saturday, Johnson said.
“To me, this is a better idea than being out there (at the watershed association property,” he said, “only because, look at the weather today. You’d be in the mud.”
The market will operate 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Sept. 26, with the exception of June 6, July 4 and Aug. 22. The next event is slated for May 30. For more information, visit ligoniercountrymarket.com.