A trip to the farmers market can be more than just an errand you do to get the produce for the week. Consider it free entertainment.
Music
Venture to the Omaha Farmers Market in the Old Market and you’ll likely hear more than one live musician playing. An Omaha staple, the Prairie Gators are often performing their energetic and fun Zydeco songs there. That area also is known for some talented buskers on the corners, seek them out, as well as young violinist and the occasional traveling band. We lucked out and caught a free performance by the Kansas City swing band Grand Marquis. Awesome.
Omaha Farmers Market at Aksarben often has music, and often, it’s the Prairie Gators. Those guys get around.
Samples
OK, maybe there are just a few of us that find eating to be entertainment. Farmers often offer samples of their bounty to tempt you. Take the bait. From juicy tomatoes to sugary sweet shortbread cookies, your taste buds are in for a treat. It’s also a good way to introduce new foods to children. Who better to convince your child to try a new veggie than the person who grew it?
Odd story to share here, last year, one friendly vendor thought she’d help the teething 1-year-old Mooch and gave the kid her version of teething toy: A chili pepper. Um, no thanks.
Events
Check your local farmers market’s website for upcoming events, because they pop up all the time! Events can be anything from live cooking demonstrations to free activities. A glance at Village Pointe Farmers Market showed that on Aug. 10, they’ll have an Iron Chef-type competition. Cool!
Nearby Fun
I like Sundays at Aksarben since we can visit the playground or splash pad after shopping the market. You go before and you’ll never get your child to leave to go shopping. Aksarben also has Zumba going on at the nearby Stinson Park starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays.
So which farmers market do you like to visit? Don’t have one? Edible Omaha maintains a good list for Omaha and beyond. Check it out.