MARKET MUSINGS: Beginning the Wind-Down

October 17, 2018 · 0 Comments

By Jan Freedman

It would appear that the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair is winding down just in time for the temperatures to turn frosty. While the temperature may have risen to the low teens by the time most people arrive to shop, it is far colder when the vendors arrive around 7 am to set up. With the damp and the wind, it can be very difficult, so hats off to the hardy and dedicated vendors who make it all the way to the end of October.
Although our numbers may be slightly reduced, there are still lots of choice remaining on the farmers’ tables. While shopping on Saturday, I noticed that Willowtree Farm had both local strawberries (everbearing) and raspberries (fall) available. The other farmers joined Willowtree in having all kinds of hardy greens and root vegetables, as well as apples and pears. Several different types of potatoes also can be found. There are many reasons to plan a stop at the Market before you go about other Saturday activities.
Before telling you what we have planned for the final day of this season, I would like to offer our grateful thanks to the many who helped make this season so successful. Thank you to all our vendors for faithfully showing up every Saturday to create a bustling market atmosphere. Thank you also to our farmers, Willowtree Farm, Cooper’s Farm and the Simpson Family Farm for generously donating strawberries for our Strawberry Fest and corn for the Community Corn Roast.
That wonderful spirit of community and generosity is one of the things that distinguishes our Market from others. Special thanks must go to our loyal patrons for supporting us and our Special Events including our inaugural fundraiser food drive for the Aurora Food Pantry together with NewRoads Mazda. Thanks also go to our Board of Directors for their hard work planning the season and to our Market Manager, Anna Kroeplin, who oversaw the day to day operations.
We are having our Annual General Meeting earlier this year, on November 15 in the Leksand Room at Town Hall from 7-9 p.m. We want to begin the planning of next season to ensure that we are very well organized for the opening in May. Everyone is invited to the AGM.
October 27 is the final Market of this season and it will be full of activity. Current Councillor John Abel is arranging another small Music Fest at Town Park and there will be several local musicians playing. In addition, Marquee Theatre will be bringing a group of young dancers and some parents who will perform Michael Jackson’s exciting “Thriller Dance”. I will let you know the exact timing in my next column. This last day is traditionally our Pumpkin Fest and there will be pumpkins galore for carving and fun.
Here is a little information about Marquee Theatrical Productions who is bringing the dancers to us. They are an award winning, registered charitable theatre here in Aurora. They are a performing arts school for children ages 4-18. In addition to teaching musical theatre, dance, acting, piano and voice, their goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, build confidence and spark a lifelong appreciation of the arts. By helping children develop their artistic talents and coaching them to strive for excellence, the children are taught to achieve in all aspects of life. Don’t miss this exciting last day of the season at the Farmers’ Market on October 27.
See you at the Market!