Salem Farmers Market, July 2, 2009

Salem hasn't seen a farmers market since 1970, and from what the locals are saying, it's a tradition that they're very happy to see return. June 25th was opening day, with a huge crowd and a lot of impressed vendors. The market opened at 4pm and within an hour, the majority of the farmers had sold out of nearly all their produce. And even though it rained the second week, the market still received plenty of foot traffic, with a lot of smiling vendors.

In addition to the farms, there are a handful of other vendors, ranging from a soap maker to a lobster fisherman. As a market volunteer, I've thoroughly been enjoying mingling not just with the public, but with the vendors, musicians, and other volunteers. Past weeks vendors have been:

Armand's Swiss Bakery
Clark Farm
First Light Farm
Gibney Gardens
Green Meadows Farm
Hardy House
Jaho coffee
Ken Goldstrom
Long Hill Orchard
Magick Moon Soap Wurks
Maitland Mountain Farm
NaNa's Kitchen
Rowands Fishery
Rowell Fishing Company
Salem Soapworks
Simone Farms
Wally's Vegetables

Check the Salem Farmers Market website weekly for updates on new vendors, what will be available for weekly purchase, and any other special details.

Salem Chocolate & Wine Festival

Alf, Aaron, Craige, and I enjoyed a bit of Salem's Chocolate & Wine Festival on Saturday, which included 12 different ice sculptures around downtown, some tasty treats at certain restaurants, and even some singing events (which we didn't participate in). Here are a few highlights from the day.

Milk Chocolate Stout at Salem Beer Works... mmmm. Delicious.



Alf enjoying his stout sampler



The dancing polar bear



Yum...



Yes, I posed for this sculpture



Love this shot. The open signs reminds me of some creepy motel in a scary movie