If you haven’t staffed the booth at the Thursday QA Farmers Market yet, you are missing out on a uniquely entertaining view of our little village here on the hill. By 2:30 pm, the farmers are arriving in their trucks and vans. Within minutes, a double row of canopies (black, white, green, red) blooms in the McClure MIddle School parking lot. Our unflappable, sweet-mannered market manager, Judy Kirkhuff, is everywhere at once: directing traffic, welcoming newcomers, making signs, and predicting weather and crops.
Once we volunteers have fetched our (charmingly antiquated) wooden cartful of supplies from the Community Center, we pitch our white tent at the eastern end of the market, string up a banner, set out supplies, and slip into black aprons. With a small stick or sprig of found-greenery, we pin on our nametags. If we’re lucky, this is all done before the first passerby stops to chat, but that is rare. The booth is a magnet for questions and comments, and we usually find ourselves disorganized long after the market has officially begun.
But there are lulls. When opportunity strikes, we take turns touring the stalls to see what’s new and/or irresistible. We’ve learned to come with a full wallet and a tote bag (or two), and we consider it only fair to spread our purchases among the merchants, buying lettuce from one and apriums from another. But we have our favorites, the farmers whom we know by name, and always seem happy to see us.
Back at the booth, we might help a new resident register to vote, or a volunteer sign up to water the community garden, or a neighbor learn more about the Met Market project. Sometimes we’re stumped. Last week, a guy asked “why no public art on Queen Anne?” Good question, although the sculpture at Kerry Park must count. I made a note to inquire with the Arts Commission and Picture Perfect Queen Anne.
A little side benefit to wearing that black apron: some of the vendors give discounts. But even if they don’t, it is evident that they appreciate our help in establishing a market on Queen Anne. There’s a lot of love going ’round.
Join us one of these Thursdays! Shift One is 2:30-5 pm and includes set up. Shift Two is 5-7:30 pm and includes breakdown. You can sign up at the booth or email me (with your date / shift preferences) and I’ll do it for ya: julie.whitehorn@gmail.com
{ 0 comments… add one now }