USDA Announces Opportunities for Local Performers During 2018 Farmers Market Season on the National Mall

Mar 08, 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications for street performers or buskers – including musicians, jugglers, magicians, puppeteers and others from the local performance art community for its 2018 farmers market season. USDA seeks to expand the types of entertainers appearing in 2018. Last year’s entertainers featured acts such as U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own, Granny and the Boys, Evan & Ross & Stuart and Tommi.

“Being on the National Mall means we have people from all over the world stopping by the market every Friday,” said Transportation and Marketing Program Deputy Administrator Arthur Neal with the Agricultural Marketing Service which oversees the Farmers Market. “We added musicians this past year and people really responded, bringing families and friends along for picnic-style concerts while enjoying a day out. Everyone involved benefits as the local artists gain exposure, the vendors have an additional selling point for their regular customers and everyone enjoys a memorable experience at the USDA Farmers Market.”

The USDA Farmers Market is held every Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May through October. The market is located outside USDA Headquarters on the corner of Independence Avenue and 12th St, S.W., in Washington, D.C. across from the National Mall.

There is no fee to perform. Buskers do not receive compensation from USDA, but may accept tips. Performers may sell CDs, tapes or promotional t-shirts related to the performance as long as a copy of all licenses/permits applicable to the sale of these products are provided and approved in advance. Buskers perform when the market is at peak attendance.

Interested participants can find the full list of requirements outlined in the USDA Farmers Market 2018 Rules and Procedures and Operating Guidelines and should contact Lee Cliburn at lee.cliburn@ams.usda.gov or (202) 281-6349.

Applications are due by midnight Eastern Time on Friday, March 30, 2018.

The market opens Friday, May 4, 2018, featuring farmers, ranchers, growers and local producers who make products with foods sourced directly from the producers in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Source: USDA

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