After a season of 鈥渘ew normal,鈥� and then a little 鈥渃loser to normal,鈥� the Comox Valley Farmers鈥� Market is happy to announce that the favourite features you know and love are back this season!
As COVID-related restrictions ease, the market has brought back the entertainment, hay bale seating and picnic tables that invite visitors to stop a while, enjoy the music and reconnect with friends and neighbours.
And just in time for the market鈥檚 30th birthday! This coming Saturday, April 30, the market celebrates at 10:30 a.m. with special guests, including some of the original market vendors, plus music and of course, birthday cake, says Twila Skinner, manager.
Beyond welcoming the entertainment and birthday festivities, some of those features we鈥檝e also grown accustomed to 鈥� like a little more space between vendors and more elbow room for shoppers 鈥� will also return, something visitors appreciate as the weather warms and more people turn out. While buggies and strollers are welcome, Skinner asks that dogs be left at home.
The fun runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the , where you鈥檒l find every manner of goodies grown, raised, harvested, baked and produced in and around the Valley.
鈥淎griculture is very important to us 鈥� we鈥檙e a food-first, farmer-first farmers鈥� market,鈥� Skinner explains. That means that while you won鈥檛 find many artisans on hand, you will find plants and produce, breads and baked treats, jams, herbs, meats, ready-to-eat meals, and so much more.
And when they say local? 鈥淣inety per cent of what you鈥檒l find at the market is from within 20 kilometres of the market.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 what鈥檚 drawn people to the market for 30 years,鈥� Skinner notes.
And coming back to those picnic tables and hay bales, the market is also about building social connections. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place to buy your local groceries, but it鈥檚 also a place for connecting with community.鈥�
More markets on the way!
With the weather starting to warm, the market鈥檚 additional dates won鈥檛 be far behind:
- June 19 brings the start of Sunday markets in Cumberland.
- June 22 is the start of Wednesday evening markets in downtown Courtenay.
- Special events to watch for on the market calendar include Customer Appreciation Day and Food Fest, featuring members of the North Island Chefs鈥� Association creating culinary masterpieces with ingredients from the market.
To learn more and plan your visit, find the Comox Valley Farmer鈥檚 market online at . You can also stay up-to-date with the latest happenings on and .
See you at the market!