Weekends like this are just glorious, and reminds us that there is no better place to spend the summer than Edmonton. The City Market was a hub of activity today; I wouldn’t be surprised if they reached some of their highest attendance numbers for the season so far.

High traffic area

The Feats Festival of Dance (which runs June 29 – July 14, 2012) was on hand with different demonstrations throughout the day.

Clogging

There was also an abundance of carrots today – almost everyone we passed down the aisles had bunches of cheerful green tops poking out of their market bags.

Kuhlmann’s carrots

Carrots from Jen’s Organic Garden

Of course, there was a ton of other fresh produce this week as well.

First week for peas from Kuhlmann’s

Dill from Kuhlmann’s

Swiss chard from Kuhlmann’s

Flowers from Kuhlmann’s

Pak choy from Sundog Organic

Mustard greens from Greens, Eggs and Ham

Sprouts display at Greens, Eggs and Ham (they currently grow nine different kinds)

I had no idea Doef’s sold strawberries until today

Cherries from Steve and Dan’s

Raspberries from Steve and Dan’s

We also picked up some cookies from Bloom Cookie Co. We met Ashley Benson, owner and baker, at the DIYalogue on Wednesday, and it was about time we tried her cookies (the vegan chocolate chip was delish)!

Bloom Cookie Co.

We ended off our market day with lunch on the balcony – Eva Sweet waffles and cool drinks (a milkshake made with Pinnochio ice cream for Mack and a smoothie made with Bles Wold yogurt for me).

Lunch

Hope you had a great Saturday too!

After a late night Friday, Mack and I couldn’t get ourselves out of bed until late this afternoon. That translated into only basic choices of product at the City Market, but enough to get us mostly through the week.

Overhead

On the other side

I had mistakenly noted that the week prior would be the last week for asparagus, when in fact, Edgar Farms was still selling it today. We of course missed out, but will look forward to the return of the snappy green spears next year!

You will be missed, asparagus

Beets from Riverbend Gardens

See you next week!

The skies started out as overcast this morning, but weather decided to cooperate at the City Market in the end, with the sun revealing itself for the last half of the day.

Overhead

Today marked the end of the official three week trial period for the back-to-back stalls on the south end of the market. We didn’t hear if moving forward this will be the continued set-up, but it seems like everyone – shoppers and vendors alike – have adjusted well to the change. I for one hope they adopt this orientation for the remainder of the season!

South end

Mack and I aren’t typically early birds on the weekends, but forced ourselves into an early start to make sure we could have the pick of the crop today. We were having my family over for dinner later to celebrate my Mum’s birthday, so I wanted to make sure we could get everything we needed. Also on our list: sweet baby girl tomato plants from Sundog Organic. They thrived on our balcony last year (in spite of the fact that I tend to kill most plants), so we didn’t want to miss out!

Success!

We were also early enough to have our pick of greens from a multitude of vendors!

Radishes from Sundog Organic

Baby lettuce from Green Valley Farm

Bedding plants from Kuhlmann’s

Fiddleheads from Mo-Na

Serben Free Range had their grill cart up and running today (menu here). Given there are now several non-truck vendors, perhaps the market should consider publishing a list of food options available, since the carts are easily missed in and amongst the tents.

Serbens’ Local Eatery

We didn’t stay at the market too long this morning, as we had a few other errands to run before dinner. Still, I’m glad we were able to make it early to fill our fridge! Among the dishes we made – roasted Edgar Farms asparagus, and a caprese  salad with a rainbow of Gull Valley Tomatoes.

Roasted asparagus and caprese salad

See you at the market next week!

Unlike last year, this past Saturday wasn’t actually week one of the City Market, given the downtown farmers’ market has actually just finished its first full year indoors. But City Hall isn’t quite the same as 104 Street, and the market always feels reborn when it returns to the brick and tree-lined promenade.

Looking good!

And with Mack and I residing just over the street, we know it’s officially summer when we can throw open our windows and hear the sounds of the market – the exchanges between producers and shoppers, the sound of a lone saxophone, the voice of Martin Kerr.

Getting their waffle on!

It was no different this Saturday. It could have a been a bit warmer – the sun was out, but so was the wind – though it didn’t seem to matter to the crowds that flocked to the streets. Dogs with Wings was also on-site, with many of their service dogs in training on hand to demonstrate their skills.

Dogs with Wings

This was also the first of the three week pilot that involved vendors setting up back to back on 104 Street from Jasper to 102 Avenues, in order to provide more clear exposure to the businesses that line the street.

In the shade

It might be something market shoppers have to get used to, but Mack and I liked the new layout. There might be some issue for those in strollers and wheelchairs to circle around the median at Jasper Avenue (there wasn’t a lot of room between the barricade and the median), but other than that, it might actually mean that people spend more time at the market walking the entire strip.

Blue sky

Though it is still very early on in the growing season, there was already some colour to be seen in the vending stalls.

South Cooking Lake Greenhouses

Doef’s

Greens, Eggs and Ham

Green Valley Farm

Gull Valley Greenhouses

Sundog Organics

Edgar Farms (the last asparagus bunch of the week!)

I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be a great market season. See you on the street.