Though I am not a fan of the heated tents on Churchill Square as a temporary bridge to a permanent, indoor City Market venue, when I heard the market would be shifting to the first level of the City Hall parkade, the tents didn’t seem to be such a bad idea after all.

Market Day!

Well – more than anything, it was just far enough outside what we were used to that we didn’t know what to expect. Walking in, this was the scene:

Parkade market

In place of vehicles were 50 or so vendors, a gift wrapping station and a children’s craft table. Though the grey surroundings and lack of natural light were difficult to overcome, the market organizers did their best, with balloon decorations and carollers to lighten the atmosphere.

Carollers (love the balloon reindeer!)

Vendors made the best of their space, using whatever was available to them to hang their signage.

Medicine Man Bison’s creative use of overhead pipes

In contrast to the individual tents, the best thing about this venue was that it allowed all of the vendors to be in the same room together.

Good turnout

Santa was walking around, scaring some children, and keeping in touch with the North Pole via his Blackberry. There was also another mascot, who we thought was a little more frightening, his blue, blue eyes bright under the fluorescent lights. It didn’t stop Mack from taking a photo with him though.

Nipper and Mack

Not knowing which vendors will be at each of the market dates makes it a little difficult to depend on these winter markets (as much as say, the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, or even Alberta Avenue), but I still enjoy the convenience of walking down the street for local products. I’m not sure the parkade is the best place for the market either, but I suppose until a permanent venue is found, whatever is central will have to do – I know I appreciate the City Market organizers doing what they can in the meantime.

Wide aisles

It was good to see Bamir of Eva Sweet, though I have to say I almost always expect to see him in the confines of his waffle truck. In addition to waffles, he was selling vanilla waffle dough, which is a great idea for the holidays – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and an easy breakfast for those with a waffle iron at home.

Eva Sweet dough

We also met Darcy Goodrich of Pure Country Food, who offers free-range pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, and grass fed and finished beef. We missed him at the last winter market in November, but look forward to seeing him again at the next two winter markets – if not only for their beef jerky, which I had to hide from Mack after he consumed half the package in one sitting.

Darcy from Pure Country Food

After picking up what we needed, we headed back to ground level to take advantage of some of the other market activities.

Marshmallow, anyone?

The lines were quite long for the sleigh ride during the Holiday Light-Up, so we were in luck today – crowds were thin, and meant we didn’t have to wait at all for our turn.

Giddy-up!

Art Gallery drive-by

Mack

Overheard during the ride – a 10 year old girl behind us said, “There’s always something fun going on downtown.” Agreed!

There are still two more City Market winter dates remaining this year – December 11 and 18, 2010, from 11am-3pm on Churchill Square (yes, back to the tents). See you there!

It’s hard to believe that another City Market season has come to a close – I remarked to Mack today that it is difficult to remember what we did on Saturday mornings when the market wasn’t in session.

Beautiful way to end the season

It has become a weekly ritual we look forward to not only for the purposes of stocking our fridge, but also to visit with producers and other market shoppers. More than in previous years, the market really felt like a community gathering place.

Kyla and friends

Unlike the chilly way the City Market ended last year,  we were blessed with sunny skies and gloriously warm weather today. At the very least, it meant buskers were able to further enliven the atmosphere.

Martin Kerr

Though the City Market hasn’t yet found a permanent winter space, they have already planned to extend their season somewhat by hosting markets on Churchill Square in heated tents. Dates include:

• October 16, 1-5pm @ the Olde Time Fair on the Square
• November 13, 3-7pm @ the Holiday Light Up
• December 4, 11, 18, 11am-3pm for special winter markets

The hard working City Market staff and volunteers

I really enjoyed documenting the market this year. It made me hyper-aware of our growing season, as I paid attention to when certain items started to become available. It also helped connect me with producers, all of whom were great about my picture taking habit.

So instead of produce photos this time around, I wanted to showcase some of the hard working farmers themselves. I respect and admire all of you for sharing your skills and talents with us, and helping to feed our city.

Jennifer of Sundog Organic

Mary Ellen from Greens, Eggs and Ham (in addition to their drop-off locations for Futures members, they will also be selling at the Alberta Avenue farmers’ market starting next week)

Rick and Amy of Barr Estate Wines (they will be participating in some of the winter market dates)

Pat of Ocean Odyssey Inland (fish available year-round at their retail location, 10027 167 Street, 780-930-1901)

Ed and Sherry of Sunshine Organic (their products can be found year-round at Ocean Odyssey, but they also offer a winter pick-up option)

Michael of Mo-Na Food (he said they are still in the process of determining their winter sales plan)

Patty of Lola Canola (she has started selling soaps made with honey!)

Alan and Sarah of Irvings Farm Fresh (they also sell at Old Strathcona and Salisbury farmers’ markets year-round)

Mathias and Gerda of Green Valley Farm

The City Market returns to 104 Street next May. Thanks for a great season!

The countdown begins…

Though it started out quite chilly this morning, it turned out to be a great day weather-wise for the penultimate City Market day.

Don’t you just love the market in the fall?

Because I had a workshop to get to, I had to make my rounds in twenty minutes – definitely not enough time to really enjoy the market, but at least we have our groceries for the week!

Still quiet

There were lots of purple produce to choose from:

Beets from Kuhlmann’s

Grapes from Steve & Dan’s

Kale from Sundog Organics

…and lots of pumpkins!

Jack-o’lantern sized pumpkins from Riverbend Gardens

S

ugar pie pumpkins from Sundog Organics

My personal favourite – too cute ornamental gourds from Kuhlmann’s

I can’t believe the City Market season ends next week – time really does fly. Hope to see you there!

After a few weekends of dreary weather, today’s throwback to summer was a real treat. It was the perfect day to visit the City Market, especially because there are only two market days left in the season!

The countdown begins

As usual, there were lots of puppies on the street. We ran into my coworker, who had brought Prince along for a stroll!

Smiling pretty for the camera

If you love hearty fall vegetables, now is your chance to stock up for winter!

Carrots from Sundog Organics

Celeriac from Greens, Eggs and Ham (I’ve been hoping for it to appear at the market some time, and was happy to have finally seen it!)

Squash from Kuhlmann’s

Pumpkins from Riverbend Gardens

Valerie wrote about La Fourchette, an artist that pounds old cutlery and stamps messages on them. I finally came across the booth today. Most of the old forks and spoons were garden markers, but Mack and I loved the tongue-in-cheek ones, like “spoon me” and “fork me”. They even do custom orders!

La Fourchette

104 Street was a busy place today – it served as the launching grounds for the Edmonton International Film Festival’s 24/One Challenge today, and the 104 Street Action Committee announced their new logo and marketing name today – the 4th Street Promenade.

24/One Challenge contestants

Mack with the new 4th Street logo

We also checked out Coup, a new clothing store in the Great West Saddlery Building (the space used to house a stationary store). It’s exciting to see the new businesses moving into the area, with several more before the end of the year (Daniel Costa’s new restaurant on Jasper Avenue in October, and Queen of Tarts in early November).

Coup

See you next week!

It was great to be back again at the City Market – returning to work on a Thursday meant a short week, but also left me a little off-kilter. After our Saturday morning tradition, the week feels right again.

Artichokes from Innisfail Growers

Pears from Steve & Dan’s

Parsnips from Kuhlmann’s (they had a sign up saying they will be continuing on at the Capilano Market after the City Market concludes its season on October 9)

Kuhlmann’s also had corn this week

Brussels sprouts from Sundog Organics

It felt a little less busy at the market this week – not sure if it was because we were shopping later than usual, or if the cold weather kept some patrons away. Regardless, I am happy to have a fridge full of food again!

September 18, 2010 also marks a city-wide Community League Day, coordinated by the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. 91 neighbourhoods in the city were holding special events today, with everything from barbeques to parades to harvest fairs.

In our neighbourhood, the Downtown Edmonton Community League was hosting Corn Fest – volunteers were on hand to hand out corn on the cob, popcorn, and were even offering salsa lessons!

Let’s dance!

More corn, please

Mack loves his corn

We also took this opportunity to join our community league for the first time (it was just $5!). Our welcome package came in a nice tote designed by Gabe Wong.

Mack signs us up

It’s hard to believe there are only three more City Market days left. Next week, the 104th Street Action Committee will announce the winning name that has been chosen to help rebrand 104th Street. See you there!

The haze that remained over the city couldn’t cast a shadow over the City Market this week; at least for us. I’m not sure what it was, but we really enjoyed ourselves today – possibly because we could actually do some real shopping today (our fridge is now working again), or because we were able to linger, and catch up with people without needing to be time conscious.

Time for another overhead shot

It was also noon by the time we made it down to the market. And though that meant missing out on some early bird pickings (like eggs from Sunshine Organic), we were still able to strike off most of the things on our shopping list.

Riverbend Gardens had corn!

Romanesco broccoli from Kuhlmann’s (I had to look that name up)

Lobster mushrooms from Mo Na

Some of the vendors have been steadily adding banners to their booths as the weeks pass. One such example is Mighty Trio Organics – I love their colourful banners!

Mighty Trio Organics

Sugar Sugar Bakery, the newest cupcake business to join the vendors at City Market, was back this week. If you haven’t yet, check out her cupcake menu – many of the flavours are cleverly named after Archie comic characters! We bought two “Honey Honey” cupcakes to try – the cake, sweetened with honey, was quite distinct, and one I would buy again.

Chandra, of Sugar Sugar

Lastly, a special shout out to Patty Milligan for making my day – she gave us the sunflowers that were gracing her table – they have been brightening up our space all day!

Next week – the penultimate cultural festival at the City Market takes place, celebrating all things Italian.