This Little Piggy Went to Market

It's almost April 3rd, and do you know what that means? Time for the Farmers' Market to start back up!

For me, it's like Christmas without the post-holiday letdown, as the harvest only gets better over time...but don't let the early season fool you, the market already has plenty to offer! Check out last year's Daily Camera Crop Calendar for an idea of what to expect, but for now, think SALADS! Lettuce, hothouse tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers, oh my! And don't forget to take home some garlic! I know that sounds odd, but homegrown garlic has the sweetest, most potent flavor, and unless you're a vampire, you gotta try it. Make a point of picking up some fresh eggs and cheese, too. Eggs + cheese + garlic = best omelet ever.

Beyond local produce, there are dozens of prepared and packaged food vendors, too. My personal favorite is Loredana's. I don't know if they've caught on to my double and triple visits yet, but I can make breakfast out of bread and marinated cheese at their stand. Read my lips: white truffle tartufo.

If you're really hungry, I have one word for you: pupusas. New to the scene last year, the pupusa stand must have handed out thousands of their cheese and meat/veggie stuffed flatbreads. Quick, hot, cheap.

As if you need another reason to go, how about for the live music? I just checked the weather for Saturday and the sun will be out--nothing better than spring sunshine, tunes, and free samples. Take your fare and enjoy it in the park, or segue into downtown for some shopping and busker action!

See you there!

--Stacy

Last Wednesday Night Farmer's Market!

I love winter in Boulder, and as summer events wind down I always get a little giddy with anticipation, however watching fall flicker away is always bittersweet. If you're reminiscing for summer on this warm fall day head over to the Farmer's Market for their last Wednesday night of the season. Cool fall evenings provide a unique ambiance for the market as the sun sets over the Flatirons. The next few days may get cold and wet so grab some vegetables, locally raised beef and create a stew to come home to; a couple pumpkins for the front porch and some tea from Dushanbe Tea House will keep you warm until you get there.

The market is now the only local farmers' markets to be owned by the participating growers. The market does everything they can to make sure vendors sell produce grown in Boulder County and there is nothing sold that is grown or produced outside of Colorado. The Farmer's Market has been operating on 13th st. adjacent to Central Park for over 20 years. With city and state support, students from CU's President Leadership Program researched other markets and helped make the present site selection. It has since become a Boulder tradition, a fabulous venue for fresh produce and a great place to mingle with friends and neighbors.

In two weeks, on October 17, the last arts event will be held in conjunction with the market though market itself will continue on Saturday mornings until November 7th.

- Ian

BoulderFest is finally here!

It's 4 p.m. on Friday and as the work week ends, the Downtown Boulder team is gearing up for a huge weekend! Meet us on the 1300 block of Pearl Street in one hour to see what we've been up to...

The stage is set and ready for the Rebecca Folsom Band followed by the Nacho Men playing tonight and then tomorrow we will feature Sunday at Vic's, BiG BanG!, Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family and the legendary Freddi-Henchi Band. Fencing, tables and chairs are set up and ready for the EIGHT local breweries and TWO local wineries who will be serving up 20 varieties of beers & wine ($5/glass).

We've Tweeted, Facebooked, blogged and even used traditional media to spread the word and now all we need is you to join us! We BoulderFest kicks off tonight from 5 - 10 p.m. and tomorrow from noon - 10 p.m. Click here for a complete list of everything going on.

Have a great weekend...we hope to see you in the heart of the city, celebrating the local at Downtown Boulder's BoulderFest 2009! CHEERS!