More accolades. In a recent article in Policygenius Magazine that labeled the best farmers market to visit in each state, the Homer Farmers Market was chosen for Alaska. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has seen how packed the parking lot gets.
Labeled a “Great Little Market” on Trip advisor, “Homer: Where the Heart Is,” by the Farmers Market Coalition, and one of the “101 Best Farmers Markets in the Country” by TheDailyMeal.com, we are getting used to being in the spotlight.
If you made it to last weekend’s Zucchini Festival, you would have a good idea why. Our little Market packs a big punch of community into a little space. There is no better place to visit when you come to town to touch in with what is growing here, whether that is grown in a field or in in someone’s creative workshop or kitchen. The Zucchini Races just so happen to blend the Market’s Kids’ Activities, locally grown veggies, and craft-making into one crazy community event.
This week will be back to normal. Luba won’t be wearing her “Zucchini Queenie” royal robe, but you know she will be there as always. And there is still plenty of zucchini to buy; they weren’t all made into zucchini racing cars. Bob Durr might even have some to rival the one that won him the “Biggest Veggie” contest.
Our Market has managed to keep the delicate balance between too many crafts or too many food booths or too many farmers (wait, is it possible to have too many farmers?) It also has managed to keep the balance between being a tourist trap and being relevant for locals. That is not the case with many markets.
And if you are really claustrophobic about the full parking lot, then you have the opportunity to get some Bike Bucks from the front booth for riding rather than driving.
So whether it is by bike or car or trolley or Winnebago, head on down to the Homer Farmers Market Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. to see what all the hubbub is about.
Kyra Wagner is the coordinator of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers Market’s biggest fan.
