Drive down Hover Street as the sun rises on a Saturday morning and might catch something stirring at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Pickup trucks, vans, and the occasional semi slowly trickle in to fill the empty lot. Tent frames expand and expose their colorful tops, produce topples into towering mounts of abundance, and by 8:00am the transformation is completed as hundreds of eager shoppers hit the pavement. It’s just another day at the Longmont Farmers Market, and by the looks of it, it’s going to be a rather good one.
Adventurous Eating Always Comes First
One of the most exciting things about visiting the farmers market is that you’ll never know what you may find. From elephant heart plums to green zebra heirloom tomatoes, each week is like a lottery in terms of what’s available to harvest and sell. The pantry section holds similar hidden gems – such as crab apple cider or plum jelly – that rotate weekly. Say goodbye to recipe ruts and hello to your next culinary challenge!
Exercise Your Right to Good Food
While the Boulder County Fairgrounds has an abundance of free parking, picking out an adventurous mode of transportation can make your market trips even more rewarding. Conveniently located next to the St. Vrain Greenway, the farmers market is easy to get to via bike, rollerblades, or really anything with wheels. Just be sure to choose the option best suited for hauling a case of peaches home.
Patio Season All Season
Is there anything more indicative of summer than eating outdoors? From bustling rooftops to crowded side streets, finding a place to eat outside in the summer can feel like a competitive sport. Luckily, the patio at the Longmont Farmers Market is open all season with over a dozen picnic tables under a covered cabana. Grab an iced latte from Fair Isle Coffee and catch up with a friend over brunch from Rising Tiger. Or, gather your friends for lunch and choose from southern barbeque at Rev’s Ribs, falafels from Charlotte’s Lil Kitchen, tamales from Amaizing Corn Tamales and La Esmeraldas, and momos from Momo House while enjoying performances from local musicians.
Fun for the Whole Family
How often can you cross off entertaining the kids and getting errands done at the same time? The farmers market provides a great opportunity to get the whole family outside while you get your groceries for the week ahead. Kiddos can visit the Firehouse Art Center’s booth to try out one of their weekly craft activities and shop with you to learn more about where their food comes from.
Visit the Longmont Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.
To learn more, visit bcfm.org.
