As I write this on Wednesday, it feels positively summery outside - the temperature is 83 degrees and the heat index - HEAT INDEX! - is 87 degrees. Second week of May... or first week of July?
These few days of heat and relative dryness are temporary (we should be back into the 60s for highs by the time Saturday's Market arrives), but they're going to move things along pretty quickly on the produce front. You can still expect the usual spring things, like asparagus, spinach, rhubarb, lettuces, some fresh herbs, green onions, kale, chard, radishes, and sprouts. But maybe... just... maybe... we'll see some strawberries from southern Illinois at the Market in enough quantity that people arriving after 7 AM will be able to buy some. Strawberries!
Also, don't forget vegetable and flower plant starts. There will be a huge variety of plant starts available at the Market this weekend - especially tomato, pepper, and other vegetable starts. It's definitely time to get your garden on. Eevn if you don't garden, you can still pick up floral arrangements, hanging baskets, and other greenery at the Market. Add to this the baked goods, the prepared food (Veggie Trails is back this weekend, Fryer Tuck is in the house, the folks from Red Herring will be there, and a new BBQ joint will be joining us), the art and crafts, the community groups, and the performances, and you have a banner second Market of the season.
Speaking of community groups, please swing through and check them out - they're in the new Row One, facing you as you enter either of our main two entrances at the NW or SW ends of the Market. We plan on having special events, performers, and possibly even seating out there as the season progresses - please come by, pay these groups a visit, and help create a true public square atmosphere!
Reminder: Animals, with the exception of service animals, are no longer allowed at Urbana's Market at the Square. Please leave your pet at home when coming to the Market. For more information on this policy please click here. For another explanation from a different source, please check out the News-Gazette's editorial here.
We had a banner week with many patrons using Market Scratch on Saturday - thanks! Market Scratch is just another way to pay at the Market, especially if you run out of cash. Market Scratch credit and debit tokens make excellent gift for the Market-goer in your life, too. Click the link above for more information.
This week: U-Cycle, Urbana's recycling program, will be on hand to answer questions about recycling all kinds of items. Courtney Rushforth, the program's coordinator, will be at the Market from 8 - noon to answer your questions.
Next week: Our first Sprouts at the Market event of the season will be held in partnership with the Illinois Master Gardeners. They'll be teaching kids about seeds and planting from 9 AM - 11 AM.
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