Enjoy Troy’s infamous farmer’s market
By: Anouk Bourdeau
Staff Writer
There’s no better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than at the Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market.
Have you ever wanted to go shopping but just couldn’t justify spending a beautiful day inside? Look no further than Troy’s Waterfront Farmer’ Market, with colorful booths lining the streets and the soft breeze of the river on your face, this is the shopping experience you’ll remember.
The Market is hosted all year long, however I recommend giving it a visit in the warmer months. If you are at a farmers market, the chances that you’re interested in all of the local farm-grown produce that vendors are selling. The produce is offered in the winter, however it tastes the best after it has just been picked.
You can find anything from herbs, colorful fruits and vegetables, or flowers, to cheese, honey, fresh bread and meat. If you’re interested in eating healthy and fresh, this is absolutely a must-stop. It’s easy to shop smart with so many options in one place.
A rainbow of food isn’t all there is to look forward to, downtown Troy is home to artists and local businesses of all kinds.
There’s the Market Block Books which is comfortable haven for book lovers. If you head farther down the street you will find Annick Designs a store that sells jewelry and precious stones. If you’re lucky you might meet the owner and store’s namesake at the counter.
Right next to that is the Capital Region’s own Art Center, which hosts different galleries on the regular and also spring and fall specialty art classes.
From there you can see the centrally located Monument Square, where I love to sit on the grass for a moment to enjoy the sites and sounds of the Market.
A variety of musicians set up here for the farmers market. Singers, bands, or even a lone guitarist could be playing there. Whatever the sound, it always manages to add to the joviel air of people gathered for good food and a little bit of sunshine.
Sometimes I go just to walk around and marvel at how big it has grown. Five years ago the farmers market was not nearly as large. The market has outgrown its original home, the Hedley Parking Lot, to accommodate.
Yet the Market still has a personal, organic feeling, and it marks the community as one of the area’s most popular events. It’s accessible and fun for people of all ages–even your furry-friends are welcome!
The crowds last throughout the day, barely dispersing even when the booths are taken down at 2 p.m..
All in all, it’s an experience I’d highly recommend to anyone, whether it’s to search out the ingredients for your smoothies that week, to get some unique jewelry, or even just to kill some time. Tell your friends, and support local business! Troy appreciates it and I bet you will too.