If you are a regular Downtown Rochester Farmers Market visitor you may have noticed 2 really cute blonde haired girls scouring the market for honey sticks, flavored popcorn, yummy lasagne, handmade soaps, cookies, asparagus, beets, strawberries, scones - and more! These are just a few of our favorites and we try to make it every Saturday, sometime between 8am - 1pm and go home with our basket of goodies.
But hands down, the best fun we have is looking for Pineapple Pete. Who is Pineapple Pete?? I am finding that more people need to be introduced to Pete and the awesome 'Marketeer' program at the Farmers Market. I am surprised at how many times I ask parents if their kids are Marketeers and they don't know what I am talking about, even thinking it means something about Mickey Mouse......no, not a Mousekateer - a Marketeer!
While you are at the Market, head on over to the red barn where a smiling DDA member is always there to help. Kids 12 and under can register to be a Marketeer and get their welcome bag and Marketeer card to make them an official ambassador of the market. Their bag is filled with little toys and great coupons from local businesses. Parents of the Marketeers receive monthly notices of all upcoming children’s programs.
Ashlynn and Alivia have taken their Marketeer job to heart. They are up early on Saturdays to get Mommy over to the market. Even from this early age they really get how important a local market is not only for the town but for our family. The fun that we have centers around the community feel you get while being at the market. We enjoy seeing people that we know and meeting new friends too.
Ok, back to Pete......kids can enjoy a weekly scavenger hunt for 'Pineapple Pete' hidden in one of the vendors’ displays. We've seen Pete sandwiched between baskets of tomatoes, licking his lips between some Push Pops, even placed next to some yummy bags of popcorn! When kids report the whereabouts of Pete to the Market Master they win a prize! We've gone home with bouncy balls, wooden boats, even bubbles!
The 2012 Season marks the 13th year for the market and runs every Saturday, from May 5 – October 27, 8am – 1pm. Located at the corner of E. Third and Water Street, it is one short block east of Main Street and conveniently surrounded by two free public parking lots.
Want to get familiar with the Downtown Rochester Market vendors? Click Here
Here's the Seasonal Produce Guide.
And if you do Facebook, check out the market's page and Like 'em!
Say HI to us next time you see the girls and I at the Market!
