Page 37 - Leisure Living Magazine May 2017

On Stage,In Concert
& Other Celebrations
Compiled by Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com
To Market,
To Market We Go!
It’s not on stage or in concert, but it sure looks like fun!
Every Saturday morning from May through October, hundreds of people come to downtown Sandusky for the Sandusky Farmers Market.
Alison Thompson, manager, said the event has been held for decades. “It’s been there for 40 years in different places throughout Sandusky,” she said. For about 20 years, it’s been held at the corner of Hancock and Market streets.
Starting Saturday, May 6, the farmers markets will be held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through the end of October.
“Right now, we have between 15 and 20 permanent vendors. Most of our larger vendors are all produce,” Thompson said. Visitors can look forward to asparagus in May, strawberries in June, sweet corn in July, and tomatoes in August.
“Whenever there’s local produce in season, it’s represented at the market,” she said.
Some local favorites include a vendor who brings honey from his own hives, plus beeswax candles; a woman who bakes pies; and a woman who crochets kitchen towels. “She’s 89 years old and she’s been there for the last 11 years, so she’s kind of a staple now,” Thompson said.
Shoppers will find plants, cut flowers, baked goods, and plenty of other things to bring home.
This year, organizers are planning some special events. On the third Saturday of each month, starting in June, the theme will be “Thyme for Wine.” Local wineries will be represented, providing samples and bottles
LeisureLiving May 2017
to thirsty shoppers. The first Saturday of each month starting in July will have a “health and wellness” theme.
Thompson has found a way to provide fresh produce, but also fresh information. The Facebook page is updated every Thursday with coming events and news about what new produce to expect at the coming weekend’s market.
“I don’t know until I hear from the farmers, and a lot of times they don’t know until Wednesday or Thursday. Every week it’s going to be something a little bit different,” she said.
What is her favorite? “It’s a toss-up,” she said. She buys huge boxes of cherries, and also loves the peaches from A.B. Phillips & Sons Fruit Farm in Berlin Heights.
Starting May 12, farmers markets will be held in Marblehead from 9 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month through October. Starting June 20, Lakeside will host markets from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays, except July 4, through the season. In Oak Harbor, markets will be held on the fourth Saturday of the month starting in June. Markets will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from July 13 through Oct. 12 at the Huron Boat Basin.
Biggest Week in American Birding
The Biggest Week in American Birding runs from Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 14. Thousands of birders come to northwest Ohio to catch a glimpse of migrating birds as they rest and feed before crossing Lake Erie. Maumee Bay Lodge, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh are the hotspots of activities. A full list can be found at www. biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.
Erie Metroparks is holding a “Birding by Kayak” event on May 7 for those over age 16,
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