Farmers markets are fun.  Whether or not you are there to buy your weekly stash of locally grown veggies, to take your kids for a stroll in the wonder that is great outside, or to hunt for that illusive bakery stall that gives you change in the form of a fifty cent piece (and might just have absolutely wonderful apple turn overs…), you’re probably going to see and hear some interesting things.  You can see cow shaped cookies, maple candy, spicy cheese bread, and scratch and sniff tomatoes, and hear stories of the crazy middle aged drunken adventures people had the night before, children wondering what makes the peppers hot, and vendors trying to explain just exactly what this new “purslane” plant is.

The big market in Madison, WI is run every Saturday during the summer and spans the four city blocks surrounding the capitol (yes, where those crazy vindictive rich teachers wrecked the lawn and incited so much social unrest last year).  Each time I’ve had the opportunity to go to the market on the square I’ve been impressed by the number of vendors, but more so by the number of people walking slowly from booth to booth, weaving between each other to slide into lines for whatever they’re trying to buy.  Sunny day or not, and even though the sidewalks are so crowded you can only go counter clockwise around the square and you have to politely scoot your way from the “fast lane” into the “slow lane” to get to the booths, people want to be there.

Say what you will about the trendiness or hipsterness of the local food movement, I say it’s great.  Regardless of the reasons people are there, they are being connected to where their food comes from, and to what goes on in those big, rolling farm fields surrounding their city.  It also brings friends together, gives parents time to teach their kids, gives the kids time away from computer games, and provides income directly to those who put in time to grow good food.  Personally, I’m generally there to get some carrots, maybe a unique yellow melon, and hunt for that illusive apple turnover.

This last time, I also took my camera.  Below are some images of the Dane County Farmers Market filtered through the lens of my mind.  Enjoy, and then go find the farmers market near you!