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Special Events

Spring Festival Celebrates Farming In Your Own Backyard

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Mark your calendars for April 27. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is closing out its final indoor market with its fourth annual Spring Festival. The 9 a.m.-1 p.m. event takes place at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park, and features four free workshops, face paintings, complimentary beverages, and more.

The annual festival comes just one week after the market’s Easter celebration this Saturday. Like the Easter celebration, the festival’s focus is on spring and farming.

However, the festival will offer more than the products of our farms. It will help you learn what goes into growing, raising, and making some of them, and offer you some useful tips for giving these crafts a try yourself. It is aimed at helping everyone: market regulars, newcomers to the Saratoga area and weekend visitors.

So, have you yearned to keep bees? Would you like to savor the joy of gathering up fresh eggs straight from your coop? Do you need a refresher on growing flowers, fruits or vegetables? Would you like to start your own kombucha brew? If yes – or even maybe – check the workshops out. Attend all four and receive a free Saratoga Farmers’ Market canvas tote.

The schedule includes:
9 a.m. Beekeeping with Rick Green, owner of Ballston Lake Apiaries and a longtime area beekeeper.
10 a.m. Backyard Poultry Basics for Beginners with Andrea Love Smith, a Cornell Cooperative Extension Services educator.
11 a.m. Gardening for Beginners with Lori Bishop, a master gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension Services.
Noon. Fermentation with Diane Whitten, a food and nutrition educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Services.

Beekeeping workshop hosted by Rick Green of Ballston Lake Apiaries
Backyard Poultry Basics for Beginners workshop hosted by Andrea Love Smith
Beginner Gardener workshop hosted by Lori Bishop

 

One of the best things about these workshops is their emphasis on basics. The facilitators can answer questions and offer tips to everyone, regardless of whether they’re newcomers to farming or veterans.

The market also will feature its usual lineup of live music, and of course, its array of farm produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, and artisanal goods. A face painter also will be on hand for children.

Market Creates Community at High Rock Park

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Shortly before 9 a.m. tomorrow, Saratoga Mayor Joanne Yepsen will cut a ribbon at High Rock Park to officially open the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s summer season. With her will be farmers and other vendors, volunteers and staff, artists and musicians, community service providers, dignitaries and other guests.

The brief ceremony captures a sense of how the market twice a week from May through October creates a sense of community that is vibrant, festive, and supportive.

“Community is our sustenance,” says market director Julia Howard. “It brings us all together.”

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market started in 1978 with starter plants and produce. Over the years, meats and dairy products, prepared foods, wool and fiber, household cleaners, gift items, and crafts were added the offerings.

For farmers and other vendors, the market is a vital source of income. But the market also is much more.

Running the River by Eric Jenks
Running the River
Photo by Eric Jenks

“Having music at every market helps local performers gain exposure,” Howard says. “Plus, we work with such organizations as Saratoga Bridges to offer employment for some of our janitorial tasks to individuals who need it. And our weekly children’s activities are often the result of our relationships with local businesses, libraries, and youth groups. We couldn’t be who we are without those networks of support.”

Tomorrow’s market will highlight these networks. CAPTAIN Youth & Family Services will offer a free planting of flower seeds to children of all ages. Musician Thomas Brady and the band Running the River will perform. Mamatoga will co-host a meetup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for mothers and children. And new vendors – among them Zoe Burghard Ceramics, Freddy’s Rockin’ Hummus, The Smoothie Shoppe, Dickinson’s Delights, and Slate Valley and Nettle Meadow farms – will join the market’s regulars.

Setting up market at Rock Park by Eric Jenks
Setting up market at Rock Park
Photo by Eric Jenks

Behind the scenes, the Friends of the Market volunteers will operate its compost collection and recycling programs, assist shoppers with its veggie valet service, gather donations for the Franklin Community Center food pantry, and be on hand to relieve vendors. Also behind the scenes vendors will arrive early and stay late to put out market signs, traffic cones, and help clean up High Rock Park before and after the market.

“That cooperative spirit makes us so much more than a shopping place,” Howard says. “We’re in it together.”

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Markets at High Rock Park from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Chopped Spring Salad

Adapted from recipe by Jenny Rosenstrach and Andy Ward featured in Bon Appetit
4 Servings

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

• ½ cup plain yogurt*
• 2 tablespoons olive oil*
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, finely grated*
• ¼ teaspoon Vital Eats Sriracha Ketchup*
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives, plus more for serving*
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint, plus more for serving*
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• ½ Asian cucumber, chopped (about 1 cup)*
• 2 asparagus spears, chopped*
• 2 scallions, chopped*
• 3 radishes, trimmed, chopped*
• 1 cup pea shoots*
• ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered*

Preparation

1. Whisk yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, Sriracha, 2 Tbsp. chives, and 2 Tbsp. mint in a small bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper and let dressing sit at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.

2. Just before serving, toss cucumber, asparagus, scallions, radishes, pea shoots, and tomatoes in a large bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly among plates and drizzle with dressing. Top with chives and mint.

Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market to join artists, musicians, and others at Farm Fest Friday

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By Jeremy Riccardi

Farm Fest FridaySaratoga Arts Fest presents Farm Fest, a one-if-a-kind community event taking place next Friday, June 3, 5-7:30 p.m.

The free, family friendly event will take place at the High Rock Park pavilions where the farmers’ market normally operates on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. It will feature a variety of arts; music, dancing, children’s activities, and a mini-farmers market. Produced by Arts Fest Fridays, Farm Fest is a collaboration of local arts and business partners coming together to offer the community an artistic experience.

“This event offers members of the Saratoga community an opportunity to experience the vibrant diversity of the Saratoga art scene,” said Saratoga Farmers’ Market administrator Julia Howard. “Part of that scene includes the farmers’ market. Farm fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and jams and jellies will be available for purchase along with a variety of prepared foods and beverages.”

A special FarmFest feature will be sponsored by the Saratoga Arts Council on “Tempered by Memory,” the sculpture that artists Noah Savett and John Van Allstine created at High Rock Park. The artists will discuss the piece.

The Saratoga Farmer’s Market Association plans to introduce a new summer program for children during FarmFest known as the Power of Produce Club. The activity, also known as the POP Club, is a farmers market-based program that seeks to teach children about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities. Children who attend POP Club activities will receive a $2 token to spend on fruits and vegetables.

FarmFest also will include wine and cider tastings provided by Oliva Vineyards and Slyboro Cider.

Other FarmFest activities include:

• Storytelling and children’s activities, hosted by Northshire Bookstore.

• Contra-dancing, led by the Flurry Festival.

• Flower arranging demonstrations, with Native Flower Farms;

• Children’s Museum of Saratoga activities.

• Sidewalk chalk art, with On Deck Saratoga.

• A petting zoo, hosted by the Sweet Chickadee School.

• A talk on the history and qualities of the High Rock Park springs, hosted by Saratoga Springs Mineral Waters Tours.

• Live music by the Gaslight Tinkers, presented by Caffe Lena; and

Music favorites from the Saratoga High School Fiddle Club.

The Gaslight Tinkers
The Gaslight Tinkers

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market welcomes such partnerships as a way to promote farming as a vital aspect of the Saratoga community. The market operates from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May through the end of October.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market Plans Workshops to Kick off Spring

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By: Jeremy Riccardi

One of the joys of shopping at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the opportunity to daydream about growing the food and and producing some of the items that local farmers offer. This Saturday will offer visitors to the market a chance to find out what it takes through a series of free workshops.

The workshops are a part of a Spring Festival that will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the market. They include sessions on:

• Bee keeping at 9 a.m., with Rick Green, owner of Ballston Lake Apiaries, a honey vendor.

• Inoculating mushroom logs at 10 a.m., with Bobby Chandler of Mariaville Mushroom Men, a regular market vendor.

• Fermenting, at 11 a.m., with Diane Whitten of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Serve.

• Growing greens, at Noon, with Sadie Ross, a horticulturalist and member of the Friends of the Saratoga Market.

In addition to these special one-hour workshops, the Spring Festival also will offer children an opportunity to create an eggshell seed starter and to play with gummy worms and Oreo dirt throughout the entire 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. market. These activities are being offered by the Friends of the Market and Serendipity Art Studio.

The festival is part of the market’s effort to reach out to the local community, while celebrating spring in the process, said market director Julia Howard.

“Spring is such an important time to plan for the next cycle of the year, which makes this the perfect time to offer this free event to our customers”, Howard said. “The festival is a way to help us end a fantastic winter season and usher in our summer market. It’s also a way to say thank you to the community for making the winter market such a success.”

In addition to the activities above, representatives from Skidmore College’s Sustainability Program will offer information on composting and a demonstration, and members of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s master gardener program will be on hand to offer information on and do soil testing for a $1 fee. Live music will be provided by American jazz pianist and vocalist Nancy Kamen .

The market runs Saturdays through April 30 at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park. The first summer market wil be 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 at High Rock Park.

Balloon Twisting 101 – Beginner Class – Wed 8/12

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 4-5:00 PM

Hey Kids! Come to the Market and learn how to twist balloons with Balloon Gal Jenny!

This beginner twisting class is for children ages 5 and up.

In this 1 hour instructional class, Balloon Gal Jenny will teach you how to make FOUR different designs!

Each participant will receive their own balloon pump, apron, and balloons to take home!

Tickets are $12 per child. To ensure your space. Purchase your advanced tickets HERE.

Hurry! Class size is limited to the first 20 people!

This class is held at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market in the big white tent at High Rock Park.

 

About Balloon Gal Jenny – Balloon Gal Jenny grew up in the Bay Area of California and came to Albany to pursue a graduate degree in sculpture at Suny Albany. Her favorite part of being a balloon artist is the smile she bring to children’s faces. she has over a decade of experience teaching art, cooking and balloon twisting to adults and children.

November 1: Market Moves to Lincoln Baths

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The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will begin its indoor, winter season at Lincoln Baths in Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, November 1 (hours 9-1). Expanded parking will be available this year, to accommodate the growing popularity of this market. The street address is 65 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs, conveniently accessible from downtown or via Exit 13 of “The Northway” (I-87).

The market is planning several special features that day:

  • – A ribbon-cutting just prior to the market’s opening bell at 9 a.m., with Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen and other community officials, as well as vendors and customers, invited to gather on the front steps of the Lincoln Baths
  • – An “Early Bird Special” where the first 100 parties to pick up a specially-marked bag at the Lincoln Baths welcome table (main entrance, anytime after 8:30 a.m.) will be able to collect special giveaways, coupons, or other items from vendors throughout the market
  • – Discounts on market logo merchandise (aprons, cookbooks, other items) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • – Gift basket drawings (no cost to enter) at 12:30 p.m.
  • – Last-Hour Specials (to be announced on-site between noon and 1 p.m.)
  • – Live music by Running the River

Each year on Saturdays from November through April, the market hosts farms and vendors selling a full range of locally grown and produced items. This year, approximately 40 vendors will fill two floors of the building to sell vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, baked goods, prepared foods, jam, honey, maple syrup, wine, soap, wool, flowers, and holiday greens.

New vendors at the market will include:

  • – Blind Buck Farm, Salem (wool)
  • – Northern Star Vineyard, Valley Falls (wine)

“This site at the state park is an excellent location for our winter-season market. It’s in a historic building in a beautiful outdoor recreation setting, and it gives us enough space to feature a diverse selection. Even in the coldest months, we are able to carry products like leafy greens that our farmers grow all winter long in climate-controlled high-tunnels and greenhouses,” notes Charles Holub, president of Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association.

The building is handicap-accessible, with an elevator providing access to the second floor, as well as staircases. While leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor grounds of the State Park, they cannot be brought into the Lincoln Baths building unless they are service dogs.

According to park documents, the original Lincoln Bathhouse was built in 1915 and expanded in the early 1920s. The structure subsequently was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1928-1930. It had various periods of inactivity during its history, underwent extensive renovations in 1989, and most recently ceased operation in 2003. Presently, sections of the Lincoln Bathhouse are used to house the regional park police offices and offices of the court system.