Pumpkin Festival- Saturday, Oct. 18

N EW S FRO M
TH E C A PITA L DISTRIC T
Farmers Market
in M enands
ISSUE 7 • Oct 2008 • Published by the Capital District Cooperative, Inc. • 381 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204 • (518) 465-1023
Pumpkin Festival - Saturday, Oct. 18
Live Music, Pumpkin Decorating, Pedal Tractor Pull
It will be fun for the whole family at the market on
Saturday the 18th. Farmers will be here with
pumpkins, mums, apples, cider, squash, and other
fresh vegetables, and because it's the last Special
Event of the season, we're making sure that there
will be plenty to do.
Battenkill Country Band will provide music from
10am to 1pm. They'll be performing the music of
classic country artists such as Hank Williams, Loretta
Lynn, Johnny Cash, and more.
Pumpkin decorating will also be a highlight of the
day. Sit down with the kids and have fun painting
up a pumpkin and then enter it to win a prize.
If you've ever seen a tractor pull at a fair, you know
how exciting it can be. We're bringing in the same
excitement at the Farmers Market, but on a smaller
scale. In fact, it's such a small scale that adults can't
even compete. There will be a tractor pull using
pedal tractors, and only kids can compete.
Be sure to bring your camera to Pumpkin Festival
because Garelick Farms will be here giving out milk
samples and you'll want to be sure to get a picture
of someone with a milk mustache.
This is the last Special Event of the season and will
offer family fun from 8AM to 2PM. But we're not
done yet. The Saturday market will be open one
last Saturday on October 25 from 8 AM to 1 PM.
As usual, admission to the market is always FREE,
there's plenty of FREE easy parking,
Comments Wanted
The Saturday Farmers Market Committee at the
Capital District Farmers Market in Menands is
currently making plans for the 2009 season. In an
effort to make the market as user friendly as
possible and draw more people, comments and
suggestions are always welcome.
In particular, the committee is interested in what
kind of Special Events and activities bring you to
the market, and what kind of additional events
and activities you would like. And if there's
something you don't like about the market,
please let us know what
that is also.
Please help us by taking a
moment to jot down your
thoughts. Email them to
[email protected], or
mail them to Farmers
Market in Menands,
381 Broadway,
Menands, NY 12204.
20 0 8
75th A nniversary
With prices on everything climbing, and an uncertain year for
the economy, nobody was quite sure what kind of year it
would be for the farmers who participate in the Saturday
Market. But any concerns proved to be unfounded. Adding
more special events, recruiting corporate sponsors, and
starting a monthly newsletter about the market appeared
to have overcome any financial worries. The number of
people attending the Saturday Market and the number of
vendors participating were up substantially over 2007.
The season began the first weekend of May with farmers
selling plants and flowers alongside people who came to
sell treasures at the first Community Garage Sale. Bargain
hunters were able to enjoy music provided by Rebecca Angel
& Friends. Everyone agreed that it was a huge success, with many
asking when the next Community Garage Sale would be.
The middle of May brought the Second Annual Garden Festival and
everyone seeking the best plants for their gardens. Patrons were
treated to a FREE tomato plant and were able to buy the freshest and
best plants started by the farmers over the winter in their greenhouses.
There was even competition by the farmers for the best hanging
baskets, window boxes, and flowering topiary. The highlight of the day
was a flower auction where people could bid on various plants.
At the end of the month Gillette Shows set up their carnival at the market as a
fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House.
In June it was time for the Strawberry Festival. J. Peter
Yakel & Flood Road provided entertainment while
everyone shopped for fresh strawberries and garden
plants. Many came for the strawberry shortcake that was
being served, while others came to sample the FREE
chocolate covered strawberries they could dip themselves.
The highlight of the Third Annual Corn Festival in July was
FREE corn on the cob. The best and freshest early
corn was available, as were other vegetables
coming into season. Corn chowder was also
served that day, and the Menands Volunteer Fire
Department was on hand to provide FREE fire
truck rides.
NAPA Auto Parts and Michael Attanasio
Insurance came on board as sponsors for the
August Car Show and Chicken Barbecue.
Thanks to their support, again this year there
was no charge for the show cars. Car buffs
were able to mingle with shoppers buying the
freshest produce, as well as honey, maple
syrup, cheeses, jams and jellies, baked goods,
and crafts. Over 60 cars competed for
trophies in 11 categories.
A B anner Y ear for the S aturday F arm ers M arket
An extra Special Event was added to the Farmers Market
calendar this year when Farm Family Insurance and the New
York Farm Bureau sponsored Healthy Eating Day on
September 6. Not only was there the freshest locally grown
produce, but everyone was able to sample FREE fresh
cooked vegetables.
On September 20 it was time for the Harvest Festival
featuring all the bounty of the season. Apples, cider,
fresh baked goods, and all the freshest locally grown
vegetables were available. There was Harvest Dancing
with music and calling provided by Homespun Occasions,
and a FREE hay ride for the kids. And the big event of
the day was a pie contest, where a dozen baked pies were
judged by WNYT News Anchor Phil Bayly and Meteorologist Paul
Caiano, Menands Mayor Tom Coates, and veteran eater Mike Zervos.
The Saturday Farmers Market will continue to be open through October 25.
Normal hours are 8 AM to 1 PM, but for the Pumpkin Festival on October 18 we'll
be here from 8 AM to 2 PM. Since we're under cover we're open rain or shine, and
as usual, there's never a charge for admission or easy parking.
Many thanks to all who have made our 75th anniversary season successful.
ForLea s e a tthe Ca pita l Dis trict
Fa rm ers M a rketin M en a n d s
Form er Bradco/W ickes Building supplies store.
21,000 SF Show room /O ffice/W arehouse on 4+
acres offenced yard.Easy access to Rte.378
and I787.For inform ation callFred C ole on 4651023,Ext.11.
Find Us
From the north follow 787 south to exit 7W Route 378 West. Take the very first exit off 378
- Rte 32 Menands. Turn left at the bottom of
the ramp. Go .4 miles and turn left at the first
traffic light. Follow the signs into the market.
From the south follow 787 north to exit 6 Route 32 Menands. Turn right at the bottom of
the ramp. Go .7 miles and turn right at the
second traffic light. Follow the signs into the
market.
Contact Us
The market office is open 8AM to 2PM Monday-Friday
381 Broadway
Menands, NY 12204
Phone (518) 465-1023 • Fax (518) 465-1035
Eddy Stutz, Member Relations Ext. I2 [email protected]
Tina Flynn, Administrative Assistant Ext. 10 [email protected]
Fred Cole, General Manager Ext. 11 [email protected]
BE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEB SITE capitaldistrictfarmersmarket.org
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