Balloon creations, music, food, fresh produce, bedding plants and Hunt & Gather market vendors, aided by warm, sunny weather, brought a big crowd to the opening day of the Homewood Farmers Market summer season on Saturday, May 27. “This is the busiest opening day we’ve ever had,” said Market Manager Kate Duff, who estimated attendance at about 1,600 people.
return of the Homewood Farmers Market during
the summer season opening day on Saturday, May 27.
(Photos by Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
The opening day of the Homewood Farmers Market’s summer season on Saturday, May 27, had a swashbuckling element to it.
A band of youngsters conducted a rolling sword fight in the Homewood Science Center parking lot adjacent to the market. They were armed with balloon swords created on-the-spot by entertainer Mary Macaroni.
energy with a good natured
balloon-sword fight. Balloon
artist Mary Macaroni kept
the kids well supplied with
swords and other balloon
shapes all morning.
Macaroni, who was putting on her show nearby, kept the battle well supplied all morning. When one youngster’s balloon popped, she called out, “Come on over. I’ll make you another one.”
Balloon creations, music, food, fresh produce, bedding plants and Hunt & Gather market vendors, aided by warm, sunny weather, brought a big crowd to the market.
“This is the busiest opening day we’ve ever had,” said Market Manager Kate Duff, who estimated attendance at about 1,600 people. That puts the market in the same ballpark as some of Homewood’s larger festivals.
Among the patrons were Jay and Hope Zawaski. They said events like the market are one reason they moved to Homewood in November.
“There’s always something going on here,” Jay said. “We love the diversity, the support for businesses. If we won the lottery, we wouldn’t move.”
talk about the reasons they
moved to Homewood recently,
including the number of
community events like the
farmers market.
Hope said they like the active city-like liveliness of the town, but they also appreciate the small-town atmosphere.
“Everywhere we go, our daughter knows someone,” she said. The couple’s daughter is a student at Willow School.
Long-time patrons found many of their favorite regular vendors, but there were some new features, too, including a Bloody Mary bar provided by The Cottage on Dixie. Duff said the bar will be back the last Saturday of each month through the summer in conjunction with the Hunt and Gather market of crafts and collectibles.
Fresh coffee was available, too, from Smalltown Coffee Company, with cold brews and pour-overs in various flavors and strengths.
The village also unveiled a new loyalty card for market patrons.
“So many people come to our market every week. We feel they should be rewarded,” said Allisa Opyd, Homewood events manager.
Patrons who make a purchase at the market will be able to take their cards to the Homewood Kitchen Garden booth to get one punch on their card per market session.
Everyone who fills the card will be able to enter a raffle. The drawing will take place at the end of the summer season.
impromptu entertainment with
at his juggling at the Beans &
Greens booth.
Greens
Opyd said the prize was still being developed, but “it’s going to represent our market.”
In addition to the sounds of balloon-sword battles, the air was filled with music.
Market regular MG Bailey sang songs ranging from the Louis Armstrong jazz classic “It’s a Wonderful World,” to “Plowed” by alternative rockers Sponge.
He was followed by the James Hart Jazz Band led by director Matt Johnson, who filled in on saxophone.
“We wanted to get out in the community,” he said, to show people what student musicians have accomplished.
Also sitting in with the band were District 153 Chief School Finance Officer John Gibson and teacher Sean McQuinn.
Next week, music includes a set by Kirk Lindstrom and one by Alter Ego.
The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 14. New this year will be Wednesday evening sessions from 4 to 8 p.m. on July 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2, 9 and 16.