I can’t believe that there are only three more markets left this season. How can that be? I was only just anticipating the start of another great season of eating local, courtesy of the wonderful makers, bakers and growers who are the Millbrook Farmers’ Market.
My anticipation though continues to grow as we approach the height of the harvest season. On Sunday, August 28th, we will have a celebratory Harvest Market to mark the coming of the local harvest. In addition to our regular line-up of marvelous merchants, we have invited a few guest vendors from the area to round out the offerings.
It’s hard to talk about this year’s harvest without also acknowledging the difficult drought conditions we are experiencing. Ask any local grower and they will tell you about the significant challenges they are facing, including a much delayed start. We all hope that the rain gods intervene swiftly and prodigiously to provide much needed nourishment. While this season could turn out to be one of the driest on record, we still have plenty of reasons to celebrate the harvest and our local growers and producers who work so hard to provide our community with nutritious and delicious food.
With any luck, by the time August 28th rolls around, the market tables will be adorned with tasty tomatoes, plump peppers, beautiful beets, succulent squash, glorious garlic and, if we’re very lucky, a selection of fruits and berries. This, in addition to our usual market mainstays – a variety of fresh meats, smoked fish, artisanal breads, baked goods, homemade preserves, honey, maple syrup, flowers, herbs, wine and more. Our prepared food vendors offer many excellent choices for on-site snacking and lunch.
The Harvest Market celebrations on August 28th will feature local group Brookfield, whose members are Jeff Brackett along with Fred and Joy Brooks. Jeff describes their music as “creative original folk songs with a twist of jazz and blues”. A surefire crowd-pleaser.
Over at the StoryTree venue, we will have another well known crowd-pleaser. Bill Slavin is next month’s special guest reader at the children’s StoryTree gathering, hosted by the Old Millbrook School Family Centre. The StoryTree start time is 11:00am. Once again, the always popular Millbrook Library’s book sale will run during market hours.
This season has been a tough go on the farming community. Please come out and support your local growers and producers on Sunday, August 28th. The market takes place at the Old Millbrook School parking lot, 1 Dufferin Street from 10:00am to 1:30pm rain or shine. We will do our best to keep you well fed, watered and entertained.
By Leni Rautiainen
