How to Enjoy a Farmers Market

What fun to wake up on a summer Saturday morning and head out to a Farmers Market.  No need to make special preparations.  Good walking shoes, maybe a sun hat, and a little money in your pocket are all you need for a good time.

My husband, Wayne, and I are especially partial to the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market, held on Main Street in downtown Las Cruces, New Mexico, about an hour's drive from our home.

Main Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Several blocks are blocked off for pedestrians, making for easy strolling on pavement and sidewalks, especially for patrons wearing summer sandals.

Street scene at market

Most of the good things in life can be found at the market.  Loads of tempting food and drink items, often with a southwestern flavor, are sold in food trucks.

Food Truck

Different varieties of live music, classical, rock, folk, Latin, can be heard on every street corner.  I especially like to leave a tip for the high school age performers who are brave enough to share their musical skills in public. 

Wayne likes to sit and visit our friends, Hopper and Katy Shannon, who have a blacksmith booth at the market.

Blacksmith booth

Hopper is a blacksmith artist who produces original items such as griddles with a chile pepper handle,(I would like one of these for my southwestern style kitchen someday!).  Handmade cooking utensils, knives, and hangers of various sorts are among his other creations. 

While Wayne is chatting, I like to wander by myself and soak up the festive atmosphere of the market.  And I delight in snatches of overheard conversations.

A father is explaining to his daughter that he is going to build a waterfall bathtub.  The creativity of the artists at the market must spill over to the customers! 

Two ladies of a certain age are sitting on a bench in the shade, engrossed in an animated conversation about life, I'm sure.

And I overhear several intriguing conversations by dog owners.  One elderly gentleman in front of a store, assures his small dog, "It's okay.  She'll be out in a minute."  Another less patient dog owner of a dog pulling at his leash tells his wife, "Well, then YOU take him."  

We made two purchases that Saturday morning.  Apricots were $2.00 a pound, so we bought two pounds.  What a flavor!  And I chose a good-sized fig tree for $15.00 to replace one that didn't make it in our yard.  Sadly, before I could plant the new tree in the courtyard at home, our southwestern weather hit the triple digit mark. The leaves of the new plant burned to a crisp.  It is now convalescing in a plant triage area, being given daily drinks of water and profuse apologies from me.

A children's water park looked like a great way to beat the heat.  Oh, to be a carefree child again!

Water park

The Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market is a top-rated event on Trip Advisor.  Regular opening times are Wednesday and Saturday mornings.  Check their Facebook page for special night openings for the summer season.  And have a great time!