12
Sep
The Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market, the original and still the best market for locally grown produce! Visit the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market Saturday, September 18th at 19th and Buddy Holly Ave from 9:00AM to 1:00PM for a taste of downtown Lubbock, and the finest in local produce, meat, baked goods and arts. We are a kid friendly, dog friendly, family event in the heart of the Depot District. Our 2021 market season will be held every Saturday morning through October 16th.
Lubbock Downtown Farmer’s Market review Sept. 11, 2021
By Paul Bullock & Mary Gates
The Market had a bit of an Autumn feel as we started the morning. The 43 vendors that set up seemed to be feeling the same. Set up went quickly, but shoppers were slow to arrive at first. We had some competition with the first Texas Tech home football game, which seems to always cut into the number of Market visitors. Also, the Garden and Arts Center had their annual craft show on Saturday. However, the morning stayed cool with a nice breeze and the shoppers arrived as the day went on. My take is that there are always plenty of dogs and young couples with their babies in tow. As I sit at my booth I talk to so many people who are not regulars! We are all thankful that new people are giving the Market a chance and coming out to experience our weekly event.
We always have new kids who are fascinated by the stick twirling and I can use them as a gauge, because we are hard to miss if you are a regular attendee. We had some real cute kids at the Market this week who were eager to try their hand are stick twirling. The pace of shoppers improved as the morning went on and the temperatures stayed pleasant all morning. Even during the breakdown it was noted that it was not as hot as usual. Fall is in the air, people!
Watermelons and pumpkins were a big seller and I noticed the fresh cut flowers and basil being other popular items. We are getting closer to the end of the Market season so we are seeing an end to some produce that has been in abundance for the past couple months. The late summers will keep the tomatoes and squash and peppers going strong. The arts and craft vendors will continue to show their wares, so don’t let the Market slip past you without giving it a look. There are holidays ahead and the Market is a great place to shop for those special gifts for your special friends and family.
Our love of the dogs that are always a treat to see compels us to award one dog each week with the title of The Tornado Industrial/Arts Dog of the Day. We are happy to introduce you to Dammit Janet who was given this most prestigious award. Job well done Dammit Janet!
And now to our vendors spotlight!
Keli Leatherwood of KELI’S GARDEN has been a market staple for four years now, selling her bees wax candles in lovely and varied glasses and mugs. She started making the candles when she and her husband had their own bees and was looking to use the extra products. Keli used to sell honey too, but alas, the bees perished in last year’s freeze. Now she purchases the wax but mixes it with coconut oil and fragrances to make her special creations. Also unique is her use of wooden wicks.
KT PARACORD WORKSHOP is run by Karen Browning, who creates woven and sewn bracelets and chokers. She already knew macrame but started learning this craft 6 years ago as a hobby. She liked it so well she started her business 1 year later. Some of her bracelets have gems such as jasper and amethyst woven in, and she has a line of kid’s bracelets with fun beads (smiley faces and animals) attached. Karen also is creating dream catchers with her skill. You’ll find some vegetables there as well from her own garden.
SPICY FLOWER SALSA SHOP offers, yes, salsa. But not just any ol’ salsa. Enrique Delacruz says this recipe has been in his family for 3 decades, and it was served at his mother Florencia’s restaurant El Paisano. This is a family run business with Enrique’s brother & sister helping out, as well as his girlfriend Genesis. There are 2 kinds available: roasted, and ranchera (not roasted). Both are made with simple ingredients, organic when available, and each have their own flavor. The Ranchera has chunks of jalapeno and a fresh taste. The Roasted has deeper flavors with a little more kick. They also make their own chips!
As we get closer to the end of another Lubbock Downtown Farmer’s Market season we encourage you to find a little time on a Saturday morning to stop by and support all the people who help to make this Market possible. We will be there next Saturday at 19th and Buddy Holly Ave. from 9:00am until 1:00pm. We hope to see you there.