Going to a supermarket and going to a farmers market are two totally different worlds. At the farmers market, people were dancing, singing, and playing/performing music. There was also a lot of families with little kids and strollers. No one was in a rush to quickly find all of the items that they wanted. Most people were just casually walking around looking at everything and also eating as they walked! There were conversations going on everywhere and it was of course not a problem because the farmers market is so open and sharing. People go to these markets to buy fresh produce instead of the produce sold at grocery stores.
Food was being sold to be eaten right on hand and that is what people do, as well as buy produce in bulk to take home. There are no shopping carts for people to use and a lot of re-usable bags were what people put their items in. All of the homegrown produce looked delicious and I even bought a bag of white peaches. They are delectable. At almost all of the produce stands you had the ability to find, peaches, apples, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, flowers, honey, etc... There was also a little section where they were selling baked goods such as, muffins, cakes, cookies, breads, and scones. There also was a place to get iced coffee, smoothies, and juices. A lot of people were in line for these types of places because they were selling freshly baked goods and people can't get enough of those!
Behind the baked goods was a small section for promo tables and public information. Not a lot of people were near these tables. There were things like dairy delivery services and power drink trials, but the booths were pretty much empty.
There were a lot of performers at the market. There was a native man and woman who were playing the drums dressed up in costumes and singing. Little kids surrounded them and sang/danced along. There was also a band that included a stand up base, guitar, banjo, and fiddle. People were watching them perform. There was also a lot of soloists playing the guitar/harmonica and the stand up base. The people walking around weren't as interested to watch them but they did take a second to stop and listen. The music was not what you would hear on the radio but more just people singing, what sounded to me like a sort of folk or country music. People congregated towards the native man and woman but other than that most people were just walking around enjoying themselves.
I did not notice a specific place that EVERYONE was near. People were everywhere exploring everything. The crowd at the market consisted of people of all ages. There were a lot of families with young children and strollers. There was also a lot of elderly people as well as teenagers and young adults. (about 20-30 years in age)
There was an art fair behind the market as well as the food being sold. At the art fair there was handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, plates and more. I was standing in one of the jewelry tents and as I was about to purchase the earrings he made, a woman came in and addressed the man who was selling the jewelry by his first name. (Arturo) The community at the market is mainly townies as well as the vendors which is why they all know each other and are friends. The market also attracts just about anyone interested in fresh/ homegrown produce and handmade items.
The participatory parts of the farmers market are similar to the participatory parts of music because every person there was enjoying the sound of the music and was there for the same reason to benefit and help each other. The market wouldn't be a smooth running event without the venders, buyers, musicians, and planners. Everyone was experiencing communitas, because the whole market was moving at the same pace. When Isabel and I were fast walking back to the meeting place that Matt told us to meet at, we felt out of place because we were sticking out and not going with the flow of everyone else. I really enjoyed the market and hope to go back many times throughout the year!
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