The long-awaited return of the Saturday Morning Market was as refreshing as a break from rain.
For the fifth year in a row, the market has won Creative Loafing’s 2014 Best of the Bay award for Best Farmers Market.
There were some new sights at the market, but for the most part the market reopened with returning vendors and services, and its signature sense of spirit and community. Whether customers want to hop from one food truck to the next or sit back and soak up the culture, there is something for everybody.
The Urban Gypsies # known for their distinctive sound that merges elements of bluegrass, folk, tribal and other forms of music # were the featured band of the day. They had some visitors up on their feet dancing, while others watched and ate from the tables arranged in the front of the market.
The new installations were successful. Aurora Produce joined the produce stand lineup and proudly spoke of their mostly local sourcing. A brand-new pedicab service was made available to relieve guests from the burden of carrying bags to their cars after hours of walking around. Some people had to wait for the rider to return from dropping off previous passengers, but guests seemed pleased by the service.
Although the food is a focal point of the market, local artisans and merchants bring diversity and color to the event. For every food-related merchant, there was handmade clothing, fine art, quote plaques, knick-knacks, essential oils and plants for purchase from local gardens.
Entertainment was in every corner of the market: Magic, juggling, chalk art, balloon art and an accordionist kept people busy from beginning to end.
The Saturday Morning Market takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 100 First St. SE. It’s just a five-minute walk from the USF St. Petersburg campus.
