Farmers Market
- Jenn
- Nov 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Market season is officially over and I thought I would reflect a bit. This was my first year as a part of any market and I alternated between two different markets in two very different towns - Moon Township and Bellevue. Wednesday nights were my market nights and I found that they were exciting and exhausting all at once.
A market is a lot of hard work!
I remember my first day. The night before, I had everything ready and I had a plan for how
to pack my 2009 CRV to fit it all. I found the process to be like a puzzle. There was really only one way to get it all in there - my tent, weights, three tables and a chair, crates of soap, market displays and supplies. When I was finished, I took a photo and memorized how everything was placed. I'd have to do this weekly for 18 weeks.
My first market was Moon. I live in Moon and knew the market. It's a smaller market, in a parking lot of the municipal building. I was anxious to get my tent up - I'd only put the thing up one other time and it was a disaster. (Ok, ok - I *may have* did a couple practice runs in my backyard to see if I could do it. I also *may have* cried out of frustration because why is it so hard to do?!? Turns out that one of my pins is broken instead of me having a totally deficiency in arm strength! Whew!)
Anyhow, the market was great. The manager is amazing and welcoming and the other vendors were great, too. More people than I anticipated turned out for the opening week and I was pleasantly surprised. I got to talk soap with a lot of interested folks! I had some adult talk-time and BS about something I love. I survived!
Fast forward and the Moon market was really nice. Maybe some of the greatest vendors and certainly the best stuffed grape leaves. I looked forward to that market and began bringing my young son with me. He loved it. He charmed the vendors. He rang the bell to begin the market. He surprised me by stepping up and doing a bit of "selling" to the visitors of our booth. It was the first time I realized that - YES! This is our family business. He'll have fond memories of coming to the market with me and spending that time together.
The Bellevue Market was exciting. In it's first year, it grew and gained so much attention. Every week, those gals threw a community party! The market was on the grounds of the library, in a tree lined park adjacent to a playground and a skate park. in cahoots with the community, the market was coordinated along with outdoor yoga, skateboarding lessons, live music and activities for the kids, local organizations, and more. Most of the market days were night-capped with a popular concert in the park. It was lovely. I became so fond of the organizers and many of my neighbors. It felt like a family. Which, I realize now, is what a farmers market is all about. Extended family and community.
The markets are over this season, but I look forward to next year. I may broaden my horizons a bit, but I'm grateful to be a part of these markets. See you next year!
Jenn
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