The Farmers' Market: Why It's Worth Attending

I live in a small town next to a small city, and considering how small it all is, there are only a few "big" events that everyone seems to know about in these parts. One of these events is the Farmers' Market that's held every Thursday during the summer on 1^st Street down in the heart of the city. Of course, the name of this event would probably bring forth a mesh of farmers laying out their vegetables and other homegrown foods, but here in this town the event is a bit different. There is a lot to be seen regardless of its simplistic title, and there is always something within the Market for everyone who attends it.

Of course, there are always vendors who come with vegetables, fruits and other organic foods, soaps, fudges and other homemade concoctions that are sure to have you hankering for more. There are always the same booths and families that attend every year; one family sells numerous varieties of homemade fudges that are absolutely heavenly to eat. There is a small company in the town that makes a booth with soaps that cure different kinds of odors and so forth, and all have a humorous theme to them. Farmers both local and from considerable distances come to sell their crops, including several Amish families from other counties. The produce they offer is always fresh and seems to have been plucked straight from the vine before they arrived. But these three typical wares are only a few of the different items that are sold at this Farmers' Market.

I recently bought some cat toys and homemade shampoo from a woman who was selling pet-centered products. All of them worked well; the cats love the toys far more than the ones I bought them from Wal-Mart a few weeks earlier. Also, the shampoo I bought from her, though simple, left all three of my cats smelling clean and incredibly soft. I've found through this Market that homemade products, in most cases, are the best remedies that you can find. There was a vendor who was selling jewelry she had made; she created artificial but beautiful stones using her kiln at home and was selling necklaces, earrings and bracelets that were all gorgeous. A local wood-worker was there as well selling off his hand-crafted products, including baby chairs, wooden toys, shelves and other wonderful pieces. I myself bought a two-shelf stand with heart-shaped shelves that made a lovely addition to my room, and his prices were incredibly low and cheap considering the work he had put into each item.

The Farmers' Market is also an asset to the local businesses here in the city; since it takes place on 1^st Street, many people who wander around the Market pass by the numerous shops on the street and can take advantage of the sales that they have. There are numerous places to shop, including a Commons with numerous different stores within, a Kite shop, and novelty shop, some exotic stores, and several others that have benefited from the attention that gets placed every Thursday on this street. Shoppers also can see their wares through the displays they put out front and take advantage of the sales going on.

The Market in itself is also a nice excursion because of the sheer fact that the event seems to bring people of this community together; why, when I went there only a few weeks ago I met up with two friends from high school that I hadn't seen in years, all in one night! I also saw several others I knew from school that I hadn't seen in a long time; the event attracts both local people and visitors who are interested in the local taste of Oswego. Though the event can cause a little chaos with parking and traffic getting a little mangled in the process, it's a sacrifice that's well worth the fun of seeing what the people of this town and city have to offer. There's just so much to see that you can't only go once to the event; I've been there several times this summer to see the new people who come with their products and visit with the ones that were there in previous weeks. Overall, I would have to recommend that if you are able, you attend your own Farmers' Market if there is one located nearby. Perhaps from the outside it doesn't look like much, I promise if you take the time to browse and look at the different wares and products being offered that you won't be disappointed in what you'll find. Most sellers at these events are also easy on their prices, so that you can leave with a bundle of stuff when the day is done. If nothing else, the Market will be a nice visit with the other people of your community and others as well, and you'll be able to see more of your community's spirit.