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Wilmore is ready to celebrate spring with several May events that can be enjoyed by Jessamine Countians of all ages.

Saturday, May 6 is a big day for Wilmore, it’s Derby Day in Kentucky, and Wilmore is launching its annual farmers ‘market to run from May 6 to the last Saturday of October. The market will be located in the parking lot adjacent to the rail tracks on East Main Street in Wilmore and features homegrown produce by local growers.

Prospective growers can arrange to have two free Saturdays to try their hand at selling at the farmers’ market. Those interested must provide their own tent, table, and chair. If interested, contact Market Manager Diane Vetters at 859-421-3239.

The return of the market isn’t the only thing going on that day.

Wilmore’s 1950s-era red train caboose-turned-railroad museum will be open every Saturday starting on May 6 while the farmers market is open. It is located in Wilmore’s downtown at the intersection of East Main Street and Rice Street.

“We have two men who have a passion for trains and they keep up the displays in there, rotate out historical displays relating to Wilmore and Jessamine County,” said Judy Woolums, the Executive Director of the Wilmore Community Development Board. The two volunteer curators will be at the museum to answer any questions about the train and the history of Wilmore, Highbridge and Jessamine County.

Woolums is in charge of organizing these events and seeking donations and volunteers to ensure they run smoothly.

She said children love the caboose, and she’s excited for it to be back open weekly.

“A lot of children, in particular, have no idea what a caboose is, that it was actually a part of the train, a vital part of the train,” Woolums said,” I’d love to know how many pictures have been taken of children standing on the steps going into the caboose.”

Lastly, the farmers’ market will hold a special vendor on May 6 for its third annual community flower sale.

The city gets these flowers from a wholesaler in Garrett.

Woolums said the wholesaler “lets us have free range to go through their multiple greenhouses, and we have a list of what has sold well and so that’s what we’re looking for or if someone’s asked for something specific.”

There will be a wide variety of flower bedding plants available through perennials, hanging baskets, and individual containers at the farmers’ market.

Any extra plants are planted around the city.

“One of our other regular vendors will have vegetable bedding plants throughout the entire growing season. So if you want tomatoes, peppers, squash, some things like that, he’ll have the actual plants,” Woolums said.

Each Saturday after the May 6 event, the market will start at 8 a.m. and end at noon.

The next big event in Wilmore will be held on Saturday, May 13. The city’s 8th Annual Coaster Car Derby for kids will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Coaster Car Derby will be held on Main Street. Hay bales will line both sides of the street and the end of the race track for safety and judges will watch the finish line.

Upon arrival, head to sign-up to get registered for the event. The coaster car and the child combined have a weight limit, so heed that limit at sign-up. Not every child will be able to participate.

Kids will be able to race down a 5-foot high ramp and will compete with each other until there is a final winner. The winner will receive a small prize. Tee shirts are available for free for children participating in the race.