Local markets an American tradition
Take advantage of the great summer weather and follow an American tradition by shopping outdoors next Saturday at your choice of three local markets.
Hayden’s Kootenai County Farmers’ Market, on the Southeast corner of Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue, continues an 18-year tradition of providing an outlet for local farmers, crafters and food vendors, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Everything is grown or made by the person who sells it,” says Farmers’ Market representative Barbara Arnold. She adds that many just meet at the market for the fun, fresh coffee, baked goods and to enjoy the live band.
Fresh flowers, vegetables and herbs just harvested from the garden, bird houses, Raggedy Ann dolls, Dutch White paintings and other art, sushi, “Gizmo’s Goodies” (dog treats) and the famous “Tomato Lady,” are some of the treasures offered by an average of 40 vendors. In addition to the regular sellers, home gardeners with extra produce can use the markets’ tables (free the first time, then $20). Next Saturday, demonstrations of quilting, spinning, fiber craft, crocheting and knitting are featured.
New this year is Major and Michelle Miller’s Coeur d’Alene Outdoor Marketplace in the Skate Plaza parking lot on Highway 95 and Dalton, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Things that can’t be found elsewhere,” including handmade crafts, birdhouses, doll houses and doll furniture, scrap booking, stamping, smoked salmon, antiques, iron yard ornaments, “swinging aliens,” soaps, honey and “Shabby Chic” furniture make the offerings unique says Michelle Miller. Bargain hunters can have their vehicles washed by the Coeur d’Alene Inline Speed Club while shopping.
The Millers are looking for vendors of all types to market their wares. Folks can even pool resources and hold a “garage sale” or fund-raiser at the Marketplace, adds Michelle Miller.
Post Falls offers its Farmers’ Market in the parking lot of the Post Falls library, 821 N. Spokane Street, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market manager Jamie Pinkerton reports 15 vendors offer fresh produce, including the “Tomato Guy,” and flowers. Handcrafted items include iron art, lighthouses, scratching posts, carved seagulls, jewelry, pottery and leather goods.
“We have a perfect setup, right at the library,” says Pinkerton. Baked goods, espresso, sandwiches and enchiladas are available in the library and a different band plays each Saturday.
The tradition of outdoor markets in North America dates back to 1676, when King Louis XIV decreed to settlers of Quebec “public markets must be held every week…” The idea was to deny traveling to villages for trading, encouraging Indians instead to bring their pelts and other merchandise to trading posts.
The Web page www.kidcastle.si.edu, reports that President Thomas Jefferson shopped at farmers’ markets in July 1806. The site estimates there are more than 2,600 farmers’ markets today across the United States, with over $1.1 billion spent annually by shoppers.