Market News & Events
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We’re in the News!
Our 20 Year Anniversary Here is a recent article that was published in the Auroran on the 5th May, 2022. BY BROCK WEIR, EDITORLOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER Shopping local is more important now than ever before. It’s a movement that has seen something of a resurgence since the start of the global pandemic, but is a philosophy that has driven the Aurora Farmers’ Market since its inception in 2002. Click on the image to see this in the paper Now, as the Market prepares to launch its 20th anniversary season at Town Park this Saturday, May 7, local organizers and vendors are excited to make newconnections and renew old acquaintances. Set to welcome patrons from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., it’s going to be a very [...]
Welcome Paddy Honey – our new Market Coordinator
We became Aurora residents in 1985 and I started working as a School Bus Driver at Wells St. P.S. in 1986, progressing through the School Bus Industry, retiring as an Assistant Location Manager in 2018. With a background in Operations, my skill set dovetails nicely with the needs of the Aurora Farmer’s Market & Artisan Fair. Having volunteered with several community groups, last summer was my first time volunteering at the Aurora Farmer’s Market & Artisan Fair. An avid quilter and Grandmother I look forward to working with the ARM&AF and their customers for the 2021 Season
Aurora Farmer’s Market Became Template
Aurora’s Farmers’ Market became a template for GTA Brock Weir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Auroran The Aurora Farmers’ Market had a late start this spring due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but did they ever make up for lost time. As the Market wound down on Hallowe’en, they were looking back on a season of firsts – and some impressive numbers. Last year, the Aurora Farmers’ Market, which runs each Saturday morning from May through October, welcomed 13,493 visitors to Town Park. This year, they logged a staggering 18,306. “At the beginning of each Market day, I would get my team of volunteers together – we had 32 volunteers that helped us over the course of 24 Market days – and say, ‘This is probably going to [...]
Sad Farewell to Jan Freedman – Market Musings
Jan Freedman Condlln passed away on April 26, 2020, in Aurora, Ontario, of heart failure at the age of 74. Born Catherine Jan Lunan in Montreal on July 25, 1945, she was raised in Montreal and Vancouver. She was educated at the London School of Economics, Carleton University and later York University, completing a Masters in Sociology. Passionate about the arts, she was an ardent supporter of human rights and freedoms and the democratic process. She had an eclectic, creative sensibility, a formidable presence and a lively personality, quick to laugh. Living in Aurora over the last 20 years brought many gifts, including a vibrant community to which she connected wholeheartedly. In the Aurora Seniors Association, where she served as vice-president, on the board of the Aurora Public Library [...]
Market Musings
What a shame we had a wet, grey and cool day on Saturday for Culture Days which the Farmers’ Market celebrates with an annual Soup Fest. The weather kept the crowd small but those who came thoroughly enjoyed tasting the Market Chefs’ soups. Cathy of Catharina’s Café made a hearty and spicy red lentil and black bean soup, Pascal of La Brehandaise Catering made a minted pea soup, I made an African peanut soup to honour the setting of One Book One Aurora’s choice, “Sweetness in the Belly”, and one of our sponsors, Kitchen Living by Duenas, contributed a squash and lentil soup. As always, the tasting table was a popular spot and I think that all the soups disappeared during the tasting. Now here’s an update on one of [...]
We enjoyed a lovely autumn day at the Market last Saturday. The temperature was moderate and the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds until it disappeared completely about mid morning. Then, at about 1 pm the sun made a beautiful comeback, just in time for us to pack up, of course. Although the attendance was lighter than it has been, it was still a great day at the Market. We were treated to music by a busker most of the time with a break for our own Aaron Morris. He was joined on stage by another talented musician, James Brown. Many of you noticed that our beloved chef, Gabriel, was missing. He has experienced some health challenges recently and is in hospital undergoing tests to pinpoint the exact nature of [...]
Market Musings
We have just experienced another lovely day at the Farmers’ Market. While it began as a rather chilly morning, it turned sunny and warm by 11 am and became very busy. Unfortunately, our plans for the Kick Off to our “Stuff the Truck” campaign hit a last minute snag and had to be postponed. Also, our scheduled band cancelled-talk about the best laid plans…. Now, a word about two new vendors this year- Dave and Carina of “Not Just For The Birds” who make the wonderful bird feeders and more. They have lived in Aurora all their lives and both love the outdoors. They like maintaining a beautiful yard and admire the wildlife, especially the variety of birds who regularly visit them. Dave’s birdfeeders had an interesting genesis. Apparently Dave [...]
Market Musings
What a glorious day we had on Saturday for our annual Community Corn Roast. It was sunny and warm with a cool breeze from time to time. There were long line ups at the BBQ for the corn; it seems that the BBQ wasn’t working fully. Nevertheless, the corn was sweet and delicious, the music provided by Dave Pilkey and Steve Falk was great and the face painter and the person creating balloon animals were wonderful. Now a look at the Farmers’ Market from a different perspective. Many of you have the privilege of coming to the Town Park on a Saturday to shop from the many booths of our talented artisans or choosing the perfect item from the farmers to complement your dinner or BBQ. At the same time, [...]
Market Musings
We’re now just past the halfway point in the season at the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair and it has been going very well. The farmers’ tables are laden with all manner of fresh, local produce with more coming into season every week. Our creative artisans have also been busy designing innovative items to showcase on their tables. There really is something for every taste at the Market. Our next vendor profile is about artisan Moira O’Bryan of “Designs by Moira”. She grew up in a small village in Buckinghamshire, England as an early 1950’s “Baby Boomer”. After high school, Moira attended a teacher training college in London for three years, where she specialized in Primary Education while following a main course of study in Physical Education. After [...]
Market Musings
What another fine day at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday. Despite the forecast for rain and thunder storms, we enjoyed a beautiful, hot summer day during which there were cooling breezes to make things comfortable. Along with the pleasant weather, we enjoyed music played by a wonderful young couple called,” Sky and Rose”. There were so many positive comments about them from market-goers that we will try to book them for a return visit. This year one of our new vendors is a husband and wife team, Ashley and Richard Casagrande. Richard has a small wood business, Grande Woodcraft, where he makes personalized charcuterie boards and tables, while Ashley creates essential oil roller blends and sells products for chemical free alternatives to everyday cleaning. Richard has always loved [...]
Market Musings
What another fine day at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday. Despite the forecast for rain and thunder storms, we enjoyed a beautiful, hot summer day during which there were cooling breezes to make things comfortable. Along with the pleasant weather, we enjoyed music played by a wonderful young couple called,” Sky and Rose”. There were so many positive comments about them from market-goers that we will try to book them for a return visit. This year one of our new vendors is a husband and wife team, Ashley and Richard Casagrande. Richard has a small wood business, Grande Woodcraft, where he makes personalized charcuterie boards and tables, while Ashley creates essential oil roller blends and sells products for chemical free alternatives to everyday cleaning. Richard has always loved building things [...]
Market Musings
Last Saturday was another lovely day at the Aurora Farmers’ Market with blue skies and temperatures in the low 20’s. The only thing missing for us was the fact that it was designated as our annual Strawberry Festival but our farmers have no strawberries yet. The cold, wet spring has caused about a two week delay in the usual ripening time. Nevertheless, we continued with our plans for a Special Event, minus the berries, with the Aurora Community Band playing and a draw for a market bag. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of fresh, local strawberries soon but they may not have a dedicated day to celebrate them this season. As I mentioned previously, we’re going to tell you about some of our long time vendors who haven’t been [...]
Market Musings
After enduring what seemed like a monsoon the last time we were at the Market, this past Saturday was glorious! The sky was blue with temperatures in the low 20’s by mid morning although we faced some pretty gusty winds at times. Believe me, no one was complaining. We were quite busy and Market goers were treated to some lively music courtesy of a trio of buskers. Our Sasha, of Sasha’s Sweets is working on getting us great buskers as often as possible since feedback from the public indicates that people love having music at the Farmers’ Market. If you are interested in busking at the Market, please contact Sasha or any member of the Board. How does your garden grow? This year…slowly…! Yes, it’s been a little soggy and [...]
Market Musings
It was another cold day at the Market on Saturday, particularly in the morning. However the sunshine improved things and brought smiles to peoples’ faces. It can only get better from here, right? Given that, at this point in the season, we have fewer new vendors than usual, we’re going to write about long time vendors you haven’t read about in several years. We’re starting with Mike Howard of Howard’s Farm who is one of the original vendors when the Aurora Farmers’ Market began in 2002. The Howard family has deep roots in Newmarket history. Michael is the 6th generation Howard in this history. Mike’s grandfather, Ken, lived on the Century farm at the corner of Green Lane and Main Street north. There was a maple sugar bush on the [...]
Market Musings, May 16
MARKET MUSINGS It was another cold day at the Market on Saturday, particularly in the morning. However the sunshine improved things and brought smiles to peoples’ faces. It can only get better from here, right? Given that, at this point in the season, we have fewer new vendors than usual, we’re going to write about long time vendors you haven’t read about in several years. We’re starting with Mike Howard of Howard’s Farm who is one of the original vendors when the Aurora Farmers’ Market began in 2002. The Howard family has deep roots in Newmarket history. Michael is the 6th generation Howard in this history. Mike’s grandfather, Ken, lived on the Century farm at the corner of Green Lane and Main Street north. There was a maple sugar bush [...]
Market Musings – May 2019
We’re back! What I mean is that the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair will be opening our outdoor season on Wells Street and in Town Park on Saturday, May 4. We are all hoping that the elusive spring finally will have made an appearance by then. Most of us have had a difficult time enduring the seriously cold winter and can’t wait for the warm, sunny days that spring promises. Unfortunately it seems that we may have to wait a bit longer. Perhaps everyone fervently urging the weather gods to favour us with spring temperatures will make it happen. Although we still will be accepting a few additional applications to the Market, the following list indicates which vendors will be at our Market this year. Farmers: Coopers CSA Farm; [...]
Market Musings – October 4th
Last Saturday, Sept. 29th, was a very busy day at the Farmers’ Market. We celebrated Culture Days with our traditional Soup Fest which always draws a crowd. The chefs’ recipes will be available on our web site. We also hosted our first Thanksgiving Food Drive, together with NewRoads Mazda, called “Stuff a Truck”(a Mazda) which we filled with groceries and raised $1000 for the Aurora Food Pantry! We’d like to thank NewRoads Mazda,all who participated and our Board member, Kris Misiuda, who brought the idea to us and organized and coordinated the event with help from another Board member, Cathy Williams. Let me now introduce you to the two young men behind The Little Farm that Could..Both Micheal and Chris are under 30 and had been doing other things when [...]
Market Musings – September 20
The Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair continues to be treated to beautiful summer weather as we march toward fall. This has translated to busy, bustling days at the Market with people in great moods. There are so many reasons to include a visit to the Market on Saturday mornings, not the least of which is that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There’s a lot to tell you about today so I’ll launch right into an introduction of our next new vendor, Lisa Weagle, of Whiskey Jack Flowers. This is not only her first year at the Market, but is her first year in business. Whiskey Jack Flowers is a small, independent flower studio that curates one-of-a-kind, seasonal arrangements using 100% locally grown flowers. They offer an array of [...]
Market Musings – Sept. 6
I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful summer and are ready to return to work and school now that the long Labour Day weekend is over. Of course the summer technically isn’t over until later this month and, for now, the hot, sticky weather remains. This coming Saturday, September 8, will be very busy at the Farmers’ Market as the Town will be hosting the third annual Multicultural Festival in Town Park, beginning at 11 am. Many of our vendors will be staying in place for the afternoon. As well, Natalie Allan will be running another Yoga class from 9:30-10:30 am. Let me introduce her. Natalie Allan is new to Aurora, having moved here to marry her husband, David. They can often be seen in and around Town Park [...]