How to Enjoy the Madison, Wisconsin Farmer's Market
Madison, Wisconsin hosts an incredible Farmer's Market in the square of Madison surrounding the Capitol building. The Madison Farmer's market is considered the largest one in the United States that only sells items made or produced by local vendors. The market is held outdoors by the Capitol from mid April to the beginning of November. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Arrive at the Farmer's market in Capitol Square in Madison between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. any Saturday from mid-April to early November. If you arrive early, you have more chance of getting the best items before they sell out. Raspberries tend to go fast when they are in season at the end of summer, for example.
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Walk around and visit the interesting foods and craft items for sale by the local vendors. One vendor sells t-shirts and canvas totes with the Madison Farmer's market logo. Another vendor sells homemade scented candles. You'll find vendors with spice plants, jewelry and all sorts of food and drinks.
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Try a fresh bakery item. You'll find all types of breads and sweets. Try the apricot and date fruit bars or some fresh pastry.
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Visit the man who sells the hardshell gourds. The gourds are ready to be decorated into anything you can imagine. They sell for reasonable prices. You can find various shapes and sizes.
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Buy some fresh produce. At least half of the vendors sell fresh produce. If the vegetable or fruit is in season, you're sure to find it at the Madison Farmer's Market. Look for raspberries, blueberries, green peppers, and squash for starters. The prices beat any grocery store or local supermarket. All of the produce is local.
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Listen to the live music. The Madison Farmer's market hosts live bands and live dj's almost every Saturday. There are also a few local musicians standing on the street performing. One man plays the guitar while standing on his head, balanced against a tree.
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Take a stroll down State Street, which starts at the Madison Capitol building and goes for about five blocks. State Street has many restaurants with outdoor patio seating, at least five ice cream shops and numerous retail clothing stores with sale racks outside. Have some ice cream at Ben and Jerry's or try a delicious sandwich at Quinton's.
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Tips & Warnings
Dress for the weather. The Farmer's market is still open if it rains. In the summer, you can generally be comfortable in shorts. In spring or fall, opt for a jacket and pants.
During the summer, the Farmer's market in Madison is also held on Wednesdays in the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Check out the events schedule on the website, listed in the resources. Every few weeks, there is a special event such as a marathon or a food tasting.
One week during July, the Madison Farmer's market is held in a different location because of the Art Festival. Check the website to find out the location and exact date each year.
Have plenty of cash on hand to spend. None of the vendors accept credit cards. If you forget cash, you'll end up paying a $4 fee to withdraw money from the Mac machine at the Capital One bank near the square. Otherwise, you could miss an opportunity to buy some really interesting that you want because you don't have the cash.
Resources
- Photo Credit Christi Bowers, 2008
