The following article by Lee Zion was published on July 30, 2024 at www.dnronline.com. Photo by Daniel Lin / DN-R.

Elkton Downtown Marketplace Opens

A project that was a dream for several years was built in six months. On Friday, it opened.

The Downtown Marketplace was a gravel lot on Jan. 11, when the town of Elkton had its groundbreaking for the ambitious project. The ribbon cutting attracted a crowd that police estimated at more than 250 people. Various dignitaries spoke at the event.

Josh Gooden, Elkton’s mayor, started off the evening by recalling what happened exactly 94 years ago — July 26, 1930 — on the site where the Downtown Marketplace now stands.

According to the Daily News-Record from that time, firefighters were called out because the reflection of the electric lights in the dust on Lawn Party Hill — as the area was then known — made it look as if the residence of H.B.C. Gentry was on fire.

“Fortunately, today, there is no fire. But the light is definitely shining bright here in Elkton,” he said.

The property has been a part of Elkton’s history long before Elkton became a town. More than 200 years ago, a brick kiln was on the site, and the bricks were used to build the Jennings House across the street. The Jennings House is now the town hall, Gooden said.

Then the area became known as Lawn Party Hill.

“[It was] Elkton’s magnet and a host of most social activities There were lawn parties, benefits, concerts, sledding, a little bit of Bingo, and a lookout tower built during World War II to watch for enemy aircraft,” he said.

Building the Downtown Marketplace continues the tradition of this spot being the gathering spot, Gooden said.

“This will be the hub of Elkton’s social activities, and is an important step in the revitalization efforts of Elkton,” he told the crowd.

Gooden noted that the idea of building a marketplace on this site had been a dream for the town for at least 30 years. But it wasn’t until April 6, 2021, when the landowners decided to sell to the town of Elkton, that the idea came closer to reality.

In March, 2022, the town purchased the 2 acres of land. For the rest of 2022 and all of 2023, the town worked with Mather Architects, Pullman Engineering and Lantz Construction to make the pavilion a reality, Gooden told the crowd.

The town now has a top-notch pavilion, a performance stage at the rear of the property, and more, he said.

Jan Hensley, on the council, echoed those thoughts.

This marketplace, this park, would not have been possible without the best staff any town could hope for. Despite having full plates, they stepped up and made tonight happen. From planning, to execution, every single town employee played a part,” she said. “Outstanding staff. What haven’t they done? From design and execution, to plumbing and electric, sewer, maintenance, cleaning, banners … the list goes on,” she said.

The pavilion — and the events it will support — is truly historic for Elkton, she said.

“Bringing in tourists also supports the local shops and stores. They’re open while we have activities. It helps build our tax base; it supports our businesses, which are really the backbone of Elkton,” Hensley said.

Hensley said she was “thrilled” to see the progress Elkton has made, with its new stores, the people being drawn in.

“It’s a breath of fresh air. This is a major piece of our revitalization effort,” she said.

Virginia Fulghinetti, also on the council, thanked the many individual donors for contributing more than $400,000 toward the $1 million project.

Organizations that contributed included the Elkton Progressive Improvement Committee, Rockingham County, the Elkton Woodworkers Club, the Elkton Ruritans Club, the Elkton Downtown Revitalization Corporation, Elkton Bakers for a Cause, Big City Band, Southern Grace Band, Elkton Junior Order of Ladies Auxiliary, Elkton Junior Order #149, the Lions Club of Elkton and McGaheysville, the students, teachers and staff of Elkton Elementary School and more.

Josh Davidson provided music for the event, as he did last month for another event, Flag Day, also at the pavilion.

The Ruritans provided free hot dogs plus trimmings at the event. This was in honor not only of the Downtown Marketplace, but also for its own 50th anniversary.

The Elkton Bakers for a Cause held a bake sale under the eaves of the pavilion. Money raised from the sale of chocolate chip cookies, cherry pies, peanut butter cookies and more went to the pavilion.

FARMERS MARKET

The following day, the pavilion was transformed once again — into the location of the Farmers Market.

The first-ever event brought in 23 vendors and three food trucks.

This was the first-ever official farmers market in Elkton. There were previous events, set up as a pilot for a future program, but nothing had come of these. This time, the farmer’s market, held under the pavilion, will be every Saturday through October.