Written by George Scott
Spectacular spring weather made for a gorgeous morning at the Downtown Farmers Market at Ancestor Square on Saturday, May 16. The rain and cold of last week’s opening resulted in less farmers and vendors. However, the sunshine and early bounty of spring crops brought many more sellers to the market this week. The warmer weather also bought many more buyers seeking the freshest produce for their weekly meal planning.
Mayor Jon Pike was also scheduled to open the market last week but was rescheduled for this week. Market coordinators presented the mayor with a certificate of appreciation for his unwavering support. Erin O’Brien presented the award, stating, “We appreciate everything you have done and continue to do support our market.”
Pike said he has been riding his bike to work this past week. He jokingly asked for forgiveness for riding his motorcycle to the market that morning but said it had just enough room to carry his framed certificate of appreciation home. Pike went on to address the crowd by sharing his love of the downtown St. George area and the market specifically.
“I love the downtown area and all it has to offer,” he said. “Anytime we can come together downtown as a community, it is a good thing. I really love this market, the things it provides, and the way it brings people together.”
Pike went on to identify several of the different vendors and farmers that he and his wife specifically purchase items from for their personal use.
As the market opened at 8 a.m., the farmers’ tables were overflowing with produce. However, within just a couple of hours, the quantities were significantly reduced as people filled their baskets and bags. Freshly picked cherries were the hottest commodity and sold out quickly.
The musical duo Dulce (husband and wife Michael and Jaki King) brought their familiar, fun, and entertaining repertoire of favorites to the center stage. The Kings have been playing together for eight years. They play a lively mix of acoustic classic pop, rock, and country music utilizing guitars, violins, and a harmonica. More information on Dulce can be found at http://www.strangecandyrocks.com/Dulce.html.
The Downtown Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The music starts at 9:30 a.m., with Paul Schwartz (Pablo of the Mountain) as the featured performer this Saturday, May 23.
For more information on the Downtown Farmer’s Market check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/downtownfarmersmarketstgeorge or their website, http://farmersmarketdowntown.com.
