Thursday, October 23, 2008

Market at the Scare


Things went so well at last week's Sprouts event!

A HUGE shoutout goes to Jen Hewitt and her stellar group of volunteers from the University's Student Dietetic Association - Sprouts doesn't happen without these folks. We gave away almost 70 tote bags, which means almost 70 kids "trick-or-treated" for fresh, seasonal produce at last week's Market and got a little education, to boot.

Another huge shoutout goes to our participating produce vendors: Blue Moon Farm, Tiny Greens, Tomahnous Farm, Kleiss Produce Farm, Brackett Farm, Meyer Produce, Prairie Fruits Farm, and Moore Family Farm. Sprouts doesn't happen without these folks, either.





This weekend is the last Saturday before Halloween, which means it's time to get those costumes out for a test run at Market at the Scare. I'll be taking photos of all the costumes and shenanigans, there'll be plenty of free candy and cider (good thing we had Sprouts last weekend...), and a couple lucky kids will be winners of pre-carved Market pumpkins. We'll start things off at 9 A.M., rain or shine - just look for the tent next to the City's Information Station. Both tents are located at the Market's NW entrance.

[Poster art done by Slanky Design - they're responsible for most (all?) of the Market's look this year.]

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As Market at the Square continues to wind down to its inevitable 2008 conclusion on November 8, I'm getting more questions that bascially boil down to this:

"What happens after you guys are done outside?"

Here's the basic answer:

After November 8, the City of Urbana is done with Market at the Square until Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 7 A.M.

HOWEVER...

The Urbana Business Association picks up where the City leaves off and offers the community its Holiday Market, which is located indoors at Lincoln Square Village and runs from November 15 - December 20. It's not just an arts & crafts & gifts fair - many of the produce and food vendors you've come to know and love outside head inside when things finish up outside. The hours are a bit more civilized, too, especially with those dark winter mornings ahead - things start at 8 A.M. and run through 1 P.M. If you have questions about the Holiday Market, give Susan a call at the UBA at 344-3872.

See you at the Market! I'll be the one in the witch hat. With candy. Trying not to eat it.

2 comments:

Lisa said...

Looks like Sprouts was a great event, and the Halloween thing sounds fun, too! Thanks for the helpful info about the indoors market. It's always so bittersweet once outdoors is done...

Market at the Square said...

Lisa:

I used to be all verklempt when it was over.

I will be this year, too, but it'll definitely be with a side of wow, I can go to bed on Friday nights after 9 PM...