A Visit to the Market

 

 

It has been a very hot summer in the Okanagan Valley and one of the consequences of the early and persistent heat is that produce grown in the valley has ripened earlier than what is typical.

Usually we are treated to fat dark cherries by late June and can still pick them by mid August, not so this year.  They were off the trees in mid June and now, the second week in August, are done for the season.  Peaches appeared by late June and are almost finished for the season.  And most years we would be at the very beginning of apple season, but this year we are well into the crop.  Even tomatoes have reached their peak season already!

This means the local farmers markets have been bursting with produce over the last 10 weeks.  If you like to cook or frequent farm-to-table restaurants, its the best time of the year! 

 

 

Vernon Farmers' Market, held every Monday and Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm at Kal Tire Place, from April until late October, is a lively place to visit. 

Last Monday, a civic holiday, there was a $5 pancake breakfast sponsored by the local Lions' Club.  However I did not make it past Crepe Bistro.  I had to forgo the pancakes for a fresh peach and cream crepe.  And I was not disappointed with my choice.






When I go to the market I always visit my friend Mary Tremayne, a local artist/ potter.  I stopped in to see her on Monday and she showed me some of her new pottery.

 

  Inspired by a recent trip to Edinburgh which included a visit to the castle where she viewed the crown jewels, she has created some new pottery.  Incorporating 22k gold leaf and Swarovski crystals, she has created some fine and unique 'crown' teapots for a very reasonable $135.

 

Farther down the row of vendors I stopped to buy some salsa from "Simply Salsa".  George, from West Kelowna, makes a great tasting mango salsa, using a whole mango, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, lime juice and onions.  The 250 gm. container sells for $5



Things were really hopping that Monday, with live entertainment, an Alpaca display, and a kids corner for crafts. But I find everyday I visit the market is interesting.  There is a booth near the far end that does amazing face painting, and one of those inflatable jumping gym set ups for the kids.

 

With the new liquor laws in BC, several of the smaller, less known wineries are now able to selling their wines at the market. Also Okanagan Spirits is offering tastes of their liquors that are made from Okanagan fruit  And the BX Press Cidery and Orchard offers cider samples. 

If there is not any scheduled music entertainment at the rest station in the middle of the market there is always buskers. I could not pass by a young lady this Thursday who was singing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. It is one of those songs that just stops me in my tracks and she sang it beautifully.

 

 

I loaded up on produce, and bought some 'fast-food' for the freezer, Real Deal Aussie Meat Pies, and samosas from the Samosa Lady.  I eyed a Spud Stix, a spiral fried potato, just out of the hot fryer, but decided to wait and try one on my next visit. The two young Kelowna guys running the booth struck me as being keen young entrepreneurs.  And judging by the line-up,
successful ones.




 

On my way out I stopped to watch some other entrepreneurs, younger ones. Ian and Evan, two teens who juggle at the market.  Ian is a hard-core Nordic skier in the winter and Evan is a keen rock climber and diver.  They learned their circus trade when they attending Bearisto School. A school visitor was brought in to teach some fun circus skills.

 

They now attend Seaton School and have found a way to make some summer money while plying their circus trade at the market.

The Vernon market is a great place; I'll be back next week to wonder around, by a few things and just enjoy the ambiance.