ROCK HILL — It’s just a parking lot, but the site of Rock Hill’s Old Town Market has become a spot for residents to meet the local farmers who grow the food they eat.

“We’re trying to reconnect people,” said Chrys Tuttle, Old Town development manager. “It used to be such a part of people’s daily life to work their farms. Now that’s an era gone by.”

Gov. Nikki Haley has recognized August as Farmers Market Month statewide. Tuttle said residents can participate by attending one of the last six events left in the Old Town Market’s summer schedule.

People who visit upcoming markets can enter for door prizes at the market’s information tent.

Every Thursday this month, the market will host children’s activities, music and vendors downtown at the corner of Dave Lyle Boulevard and East White Street. Thursday markets are held from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature acoustic music from the duo Reckless, games and “Pickles Da Clown” in addition to the locally grown and produced foods from York County farmers. There are also 12 vendors scheduled to sell arts and crafts.

The Saturday markets through Sept. 1 run from 8 a.m. to noon. and feature food, produce and arts and crafts vendors.

The Old Town Market has moved to different locations around downtown over the past three years and will move again next market season to Caldwell Street in an area being developed.

Confusion over location may have hurt attendance this summer, Tuttle said.

“Once people come,” she said, “they will have a good experience.”

Bill and Martha Cranford attended a recent market as return customers. They said Old Town Market is one of Rock Hill’s “undiscovered treasures.”

The city’s focus on development downtown is exciting, the Cranfords said. The development on Caldwell Street as future home of the market is a “tipping point,” Bill Cranford said. “It’s going to make downtown more of a destination.”

Anna Douglas 803-329-4068