Woo Hoo! We have survived May and, already well into June, we seem to be getting the hang of all the new Markets we’re attending. With two weeks of our full 6 market schedual, plus a cheese make behind us, we are really testing our stamina!
Last Monday morning started at 5am with a run down the valley to the dairy – we were nearly out of curds! – and will end with a lovely time at the Bigfork Village Market. The new space in the lot in front of Bookside Yard is turning out to be a perfect venue for a Monday afternoon/early evening out. The music is out on the grass next to Brookside Yard, who specializes in locally produced libations and the market is collected together for ease of wandering and the atmosphere is relaxing and energetic all at the same time.
Tuesday we’re back in the high energy bustle of the Whitefish Farmers Market. The park in front of the Train Depot has been re sod (and can I say how weird it is NOT to have the lovely brick building that was on the SW corner there!! Thankfully it was moved rather than demolished. First the pond and now the building!) and is currently partially closed off but I understand it should be freed up for the market to spread back out to it’s natural shape in July.
Wednesday is when we usually make cheese – well, every other week – along with cutting and packaging aged cheese as needed for the coming week. I’ve come to think of it as our mid week week end as we don’t have any markets.
Thursday is our other usual (as needed) cheese make day along with the new Ronan Farmers Market. Out behind the Visitors Center, just off the Highway, we’re in lovely grassy area with plenty of room to park, stroll and enjoy. The hours are currently from 4-6pm but as we get both the vendors and customers used to us always being there, hoping to extend the hours to 7pm – possibly around the Summer Solstice. One of the beauties of the market is the commanding view of the Mission Mountains and quite a bit of avian activity in skies above with the proximity of the Pablo Reservoir. There were three bald eagles zooming around, low and close, last week!
Fridays we see double duty as Joe does the morning shift at the Polson Farmers Market and I head down to Missoula in the afternoons for deliveries and then end up at the Mission Falls Market in St. Ignatius. The Polson Market is as active and varied as ever with each vendor spot booked and a hefty waiting list of creative and amazing people ready each week to make sure the place is full! From plants to produce to new and reclaimed art to food, there is something to delight the eye, senses and stomach at each step. (Did I mention the pastries, coffee, honey, chocolate, breads, uh hum, cheese?) The Mission Falls Market is in it’s second year and is going strong. There are quite a few vendors there that you’ll not find at other markets along with some of those of us who feel the need to stretch out and be a part of just about everything.
A couple stand outs at the market for me are the kid’s corner, where younger folks are encouraged to be creative and sell their products courtesy of the market. There is an amazing crew of Junior Entrepreneurs at work there and room for more! My second standout is, again, the view. Stunning.
Saturday mornings you’ll find Joe in his familiar place up at the Kalispell Market. It has really grown into the newer location at the College, moving and adapting as the school grows. Happily, the customers don’t seem to mind much and keep Joe busy. I can be found at the Creamery where it can almost be as busy!
Sundays are a little slower for us, what with no markets to attend and just being open at the Creamery. We had thought of participating in a couple of the Seeley Lake Markets but, alas, it is not to be (and I’d rather not go into the whys and whatevers here) so you can find us here in Polson getting odd jobs done and handing out samples.
If you’re in the area, come by for a visit or perhaps we’ll see you at one of the markets. Either way, hope your summer is going swimmingly! Cheers!
Here’s what we’ve gotten ourselves into from May to October:
Creamery open Monday – Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4
Monday 4-7 pm Bigfork Village Market Tuesday 5-7:30 pm Whitefish Farmers Market Thursday 4-6 pm Ronan Farmers Market . with an occasional Thursday 5-7:30 pm Columbia Falls Community Market Friday 9-1 pm Polson Farmers Market Friday early afternoon Missoula deliveries Friday 5-7 pm Mission Falls Market in St. Ignatius Saturday 9-12:30 pm Kalispell Farmers Market
