(Note: That’s my dad at the Downtown Farmers’ Market last year…he’ll be thrilled that I used this photo, ha ha)
Tomorrow is the first Downtown Farmers’ Market…and I can’t wait…the family can’t wait. We have our system…mini donuts…smoothie…the Juice Company (for healthier smoothie)…La Mie…Ride the “Tractor-Train”…Popcorn tent…German sausage place…then end with burrito from Dos Rios. Yep. I go home full. It’s important to start the day with 5 breakfasts.
I’ve noticed over the years that there are the same people you’ll see each Farmers Market:
1. The Owner of the World’s Largest Dog
I see dogs the size of horses each Saturday morning…and just when I think I’ve seen the largest dog in Iowa…another one will appear a block later. My kids love it…I’m just in awe.
2. The Person Who Can’t Carry Everything
They came with the idea of buying a few items…but then they saw something…and another thing…and now they’ve overbought…and they are struggling down Court Avenue. Slow steps…checking every 5 steps to look behind them to see if they dropped something. They have determination though….it’s impressive.
3. The Person Who Bought a Big Piece of Metal
There are some unbelievably cool, large pieces of art that you can find at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. It’s stuff that I would love to buy, but I have no clue how to get it home. I’ve seen the couples…usually married, mid 30s…staggering down Court, lumbering under the weight of this giant silver piece of metal. Again…they are determined.
4. The Rammer
The person with the stroller that is just going to move forward…no matter what. We bring our two-seater wagon to haul the kids around (so they can eat their mini-donuts in style, right?)…I’m always cognizant of the fact that I’m hauling an extra 90 lbs behind me. If I even come close to someone’s foot, I’m profusely apologize. The Rammer cares not of your toes…or your shins!
5. The “I Can’t Eat This and Walk at the Same Time” Guy
I’m this guy as well…I get the burrito..or the burrito bowl…from Dos Rios. They’re AWESOME…they’re huge…but they’re also messy. There I am, walking around, trying to finagle this giant burrito, while walking, while pulling the wagon. Sauce is dripping down my chin…it’s on my shirt…it’s all over my hands. Same goes with the German Sausage of mustard. As my wife says every Saturday morning, “I can’t take you anywhere”.
6. The Human Map
This guy prides himself on knowing where absolutely everything is at the Farmers’ Market. I don’t know if he’s just been to every Market…or if he scouts it out and just has a good memory…or he’s spent the past two weeks memorizing the map.
7. The Walking Dead
Aka…the Hungover. You can tell…the bigger the sunglasses….the more hungover they are. No, that’s not true…we all like bigger sunglasses. The tighter the sunglasses….the more hungover. They wish to have no sunlight breach their eyes…but they need to get out moving around, otherwise, they may never get out of bed. My friends are in this category. Sometimes hungover, sometimes still drunk…never walking in a straight line.
8. The Unhealthy Market Goer
This is me. When I think Farmers’ Market…I think healthy. Probably because everything is fresh…and there are tons of fruits & veggies…and organic things. I just assume “this is where healthy people eat”…then I show up…and immediately eat everything that’s not healthy. 2 minutes into the Downtown Farmers’ Market…and I’ve already bought mini-donuts. It’s like I’m the Fair.
