By Jake Luplow
Every time I hear someone say “farmer’s market,” I get this mental image of a bunch of tables strung together in a field, each one manned with a farmer wearing a straw hat, selling eggs, mason jars of milk, and similar items foreign to a city boy like myself. I’m not sure what it is; I just can’t get it out of my head. Farmer’s markets couldn’t be more different.
The Lacey Community Market began eight years ago. With the market struggling to maintain self-sufficiency, the City of Lacey considered shutting it down. In 2008 they hired Sharon Kagy as Market Manager. Since then, the market has been thriving, to say the least.
Each market is different. Nadine, a farmer’s market fan, says she loves the market because, “There are different vendors each time. I love seeing the variety at the different booths: I can see their personalities in the things they make.” And the same stays true for the market on September 8th.
The September market’s theme is pet day. Here is what your itinerary looks like:
5K or 1 mile walk/run, 9 a.m.: proceeds benefit Animal Services Tucker’s Fund for emergency vet care services.
Good Dog K9-5K awards presentation, 10 a.m.
Grays Harbor Banjo Band, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pet-Look-Alike contest, 12 p.m.: just show up with your pet to register.
K-9 demonstration by Thurston County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, 1 – 2 p.m.
Live music by Cricket on the Hearth, 2 – 4 p.m.
The first Farmer’s Market I had ever been to was at Huntamer Park on August 11th. When I got there, I was blown away: there were no eggs or mason jars of milk, but instead, it was a happy, busy environment with stands everywhere. I saw some of the most amazing things: photography, handmade jewelry, soap, etc.
The most interesting part of the day was the honey. It was about mid-day when I stumbled into a lady’s honey booth. Her name is DeDe Hazzard, co-founder of Morning Star Honey—a local honey business. She had many organic honey products displayed on her table. I was absolutely ecstatic; honey is one of my favorite foods. So I looked at the table, then up to the lady and said, “Honey!” (I was hoping she would offer me a sample; she did and it was amazing.)
According to DeDe, honey is the perfect food: no bacteria can grow in it, and honey contains many probiotics and every B complex you need.
In a later interview, she expressed her love for the farmer’s markets, “You have the opportunity to see people with their passions and creativity and see them utilize materials to create beautiful art.”
Although each market is different, making for an enjoyable experience is one time tested truth. Not good enough? Well, then here are five reasons you should go to the September Lacey Community Market at Huntamer Park:
1. You will be exposed to a wide array of unique items for sale.
2. You will be able to participate in a walk/run that benefits a good cause.
3. You will be able to enjoy live music ranging from Irish to folk to bluegrass.
4. You will be able to see an exciting K9 demonstration by the Thurston County Sheriffs.
5. You may find an opportunity to learn something—perhaps about honey!
