URBANE MEETS RURAL DAY IN MARYSVILLE

INVITE TO STROLL & SHOP 'DOWNTOWN'

 Friday past was the scene of another "Farmers Market" on "D" Street in Downtown Marysville.

A year ago, when first landed here, this old geezer went to this event, both being new to the area.  It was the first year that the Farmers Market came to be, as was it the first year this old geezer had a real opportunity to see how 'alive' Downtown could be due to a 'special' event.

Having just arrived local, MOI was full of hope that Marysville would live up to expectations of it being a grand place to live.  Much can be said for the efforts of merchants to sponsor the market as way to bring more shoppers Downtown, or at least have locals linger a wee bit longer before heading home from work.

To be true, this old geezer found his calling in "Linda" and departed the city proper, while holding onto a "Marysville" postal address.  The market had not impressed last year, due in part to not being fond of paying high prices for produce available at local market AND unwilling to purchase items best found in a 'real' store at prices that are more friendly to pocket book.  I did shop at the market three times and felt had given it a fair chance to impress.  I was not sure how much merchants benefited from the event or how big the effort might grow.

Speed forward a year, the Farmers Market is still alive.  This year it got off to a bang due to a controversy over who should or should not be able to peddle wares on the road.  Names were called, monies returned, local newspaper stirred up the tale and BID board members resigned or were forced out due to the 'tempest in a teapot' local scandal.  Nothing like a little dirt being hurled to draw a crowd on the pavement.

To my eye, the number of vendors is still quite small, with the mix of, being more eclectic than a year ago.

One can understand the farmers being there.  While there is but one featured on this blog, there are many more.  All seem to sell exactly the same produce at almost the same prices.  If one is looking for a cheaper vendor, spare the effort as it seems as if farmers have 'fixed' the price, each supports the other at going for a 'good' price.

There is a local bread maker flogging product at market.  Mind, I do not understand the logic of purchasing a $6.00 loaf of bread.

'CELEBRATED' LOCAL VENDOR

 Lem's is not the only vendor with meat for sale.  There be others, one being a shop on "D" Street that sells 'tri-tip' every day of the week.  Oft wondered why some feel the need to control the marketplace, when the customer will decide who they will favour with cash.  Give folks a choice I say, with a crowd, no one person need 'hog' all of the action.

HONEY TO SWEETEN THE STROLL

 The lovely couple featured to the side are on the 'honey business'.  The lovely man in snap is soon to be 76 and he still gathered up the honey for  market.  His lovely wife is quick with a smile and even quicker to offer one a 'honey straw' to suck on.
Fancy that, a sweet to keep one with a smile on face as  one peruses the vendors.

A MARYSVILLE 'FARMER'

 Now special reason why this farmer was featured over others.  Might well be I like the colour of his sign or was impressed by his friendly manner in dealing with a shopper.  Overheard him telling someone how to get to his farm and also pointing out other points of interest.

Got to love a chap who makes it 'fun' to deal with the public.

FARMERS MARKET 'PLASTIC WARES

 The vendor to left is one that makes one wonder.  Does one truly go to a Farmers Market looking for "Tupperware"?  Mind, there might be a certain logic to the items for sale as on has to do something with the produce bought.
Here again, the price set on items was no bargain.  She reminded this old geezer, the lovely lady selling, that her product was "The Best" and one expects to pay for "The Best".  And I thought using a old butter tub was clever....

'SOUL FOOD' VENDOR

 Along with food for the body, there be food for the soul at Farmers Market.  The folks at this stall are quite keen to engage one in a chat about 'godly' things.
Lovely folks no doubt but one wonders if the market is the right venue for them.
Have no doubt that one and all wish each other well and the presence of these good folks is as welcome as all others.

CIGAR BOX CONTRIBUTES SMOKERS DELIGHT

 You have to love a vendor sponsored by a shop that promotes 'smoking'.  Gives a whole new meaning to 'smoked' meats.
When asked if the meats offered were good, was told proudly that there were no better 'spareribs' to be got.
The Cigar Box is a shop on "D" Street, one that will serve up a 'cold one, to go with smoke products.

COLOURFUL & MUSICAL RIDE FOR WEE ONES

When first looked at this vendor, wondered how one could flog a 'dirty' product.  The featured items seemed a bit used.  Plus the had horrid sounds coming from with lights flashing on faces.

Turns out that they are a ride for wee ones.  Not just wee ones, but children who one would have thought were too big to ride.

So many were using that the music from the 'rides' overtook that part of the road.  Might have been fun but still hold fast to idea that 'ride' offered, looked and sounded horrid.

You who read this old geezer's posts know him to be cheeky and will not let all who are 'au fait' with down with this post.  It is another 'slice of life' viewed by as he walks the roads of Marysville.

As much as the next person, this old geezer loves to walk about and shop.  Just not keen on paying high prices for items best got someplace else.  Truth be told, am quite willing to gather up veggies in a tin from local store and have no fear of the 'freshness' of fruit off the bin at store.

Being one who eats early and of a certain age that feels 'eating' on the road is a bit 'tacky', the idea of stuffing cake hole 'on the go' does not appeal to.  Mind there is a place to sit but in the middle of the road...

The BID sponsorship of the event, along with other sponsors is a noble idea.  It closes off a part of "D" Street and makes a 'happening" take place on a road that is very short on 'happenings.

One has to wonder at how much good is achieved by this event.

This old geezer stayed at the market for a few hours and was impressed by just how many local merchants went out of way to come down to and support.  More than one merchant known could be seen gathering up quite a bit of produce.  Merchants who are not directly in front of the vendors.

Nice to see that The Brick had a banner up and was open, even if limited food was available due to kitchen being closed down at 3pm.

I ran into a photo-journalist from Appeal Democrat and some new neighbours at the market.  Lovely.

I did not see any local elected officials or denizens from "Silly Hall" and noted that there were some merchants who closed up shop as usual and did not buy into any need to support.  More's the pity that, as it defeats the purpose of and can not be very helpful in getting future business.

As these things go, it is a long time til September and one will have to wait and see how the numbers stack up at the end of the second year of the event.  With recent controversy at market played out, tempers will cool and one would hope that folks will return to being 'neighbourly'.  In a 'free market', there is room for one and all.

Was asked at market if I feared running out of things to do a reportage on.  HA!  Not by half...