The Dudley Farm Museum is announcing the start of their season beginning Saturday, May 7 with a Farmer’s Market from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The farm will also once again host a community-wide tag sale and flea market on its grounds Sunday, May 15 from noon to 4 p.m.

The Farmer’s Market return on May 7 will also coincide with the opening of the gift shop, according to Museum Secretary Jerri Guadagno. The markets offer a wide variety of locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, plants, baked goods, and more, said Guadagno.

“We are really excited to start the season on May 7,” said Guadagno. “We will be open every single Saturday right up until the Christmas season. There is such variety in the market. People have really come to rely and enjoy what it has to offer.”

As for the tag sale, Guadagno said whether residents are interested in selling excess stuff or buying someone else’s, the sale gives visitors a chance to enjoy the pleasant surroundings, visit with friends and neighbors, and maybe find that special can’t-live-without treasure.

“Right now, we have 33 vendors signed up so far, so it will be a big sale,” said Guadagno. “Folks can find almost everything. There is a real variety. It will go from antiques to household goods. Some people will bring clothing; you can get furniture. It varies from vendor to vendor, but there will be a huge variety of things. There will also be plants available as well.”

According to Guadagno, the tag sale is a primary fundraiser for the nonprofit.

“This is one of our main fundraisers of the year. The charge per vendor space is $20, so folks can still sign up with us for a space,” Guadagno said. “This event really brings the community together. And not just Guilford—Durham, Madison, Branford and North Branford folks are all welcome. If you’ve spent time trying to reduce the amount of stuff in your home, please join us at the Dudley Farm tag sale. You can reduce your stash, or buy somebody else’s. We’ll also be serving our famous hotdogs and sauerkraut, too.”

The Dudley Farm Gift Shop will be opening on May 7, as well and every Saturday during the Farmer’s Market hours. Handmade items from the shop are always available and Guadagno said she and the staff have been busy in preparation for the upcoming season.

“I can put it this way…We’ve been doing an awful lot of sewing,” said Guadagno. “There are five of us girls that run the gift shop and we do hand-sewn and knitted items. It’s all handmade, everything we sell is handmade. There will a large new selection of items available on the 7th as well.”

The Dudley Farm Museum will have its own treasures from the Dudley Farm Attic and Barns for sale as well. Interested neighbors are invited to rent a 12’X12’ space for $20 to sell their own used treasures. For more information, call Guadagno at 203-457-0047 or The Dudley Farm at 203-457-0770.

Food and drink will be available for purchase at the tag sale and the rain date is Sunday afternoon, June 5. The Dudley Farm Museum, on the south-east corner of routes 77 and 80, is at 2351 Durham Road, Guilford.