Market Day -OMG!

When I woke up this morning my stomach was FULL of butterflies... I couldn't even eat breakfast or drink any coffee as I loaded the trucks in the early morning chill. I had been worried about the weather, the sculptures, pricing, loading in and setting up, bringing the credit card machine junk OR worse, I thought what if no one came to the Market...??

H O W E V E R, within the first 20 minutes of the Market my nervousness went away and turned into full on laughing, selling and visiting! What an INCREDIBLE first day at the Spenard Farmers Market! The weather was perfect, the crowds were wonderful and the sales were even better! THANK YOU to all of our loyal customers who came out to not only support the new Market event but to buy my garden art AND Kahilta Birchworks syrups and jams at our booth! Thanks again to Will for the use of his truck and time helping us to set-up and tear down. Derek, Gus and I had such a great time visiting with friends and selling our things that the day was over before we knew it. I sold out of the popular Wind Salmon, Garden Dogs, Plant Stands, Neds, Raven Ornaments, Michael & Dulce's Strawberry/Rhubarb syrup and I have only a few Garden Ravens left! Lots of people wanted to take an entire flock of Sheep home -they just couldn't fit them into their cars -maybe next week they'll bring a flat bed -ha!

There were only a few bugs to get worked out, but nothing major for an event's first day. Set up was a bit delayed early this morning as some cars that were parked in Chilkoot's parking lot overnight, needed to be towed out of the way for vendors to set up -but just towed to the adjoining lot, NOT to impound. The best part was all of the Market volunteers were so happy to see this event come to fruition after years of ideas, dreams and efforts by our local community groups. As Alaska's growing season moves along we will see more and more veggies and plants. Starting June 5th we'll be jurying for additional arts & crafts vendors as well. Daddy-O and I got a kick out of watching customers carrying out net bags of FRESH Kachemak Bay Oysters that were harvested YESTERDAY and Spot Shrimp on ice. Wonder Bread gave away 600 loaves of their new Multi-grain bread FREE -Thanks Wonder, now we've got sandwiches covered for next week :) For lunch, Gus, my sister, Daddy-O and I ate delicious, fresh grilled La Mex Beef Skewers with cilantro salsa. We're planning on being there again next Saturday, May 29 from 10-3 so if you find yourself hungry, lonely or wandering around in beautiful downtown Spenard, come say HI and be sure to bring your market bags for shopping!

Click here to see more opening day Spenard Farmers Market pictures taken by Rina!