Opening Day!

Not the kind of opening day involving balls and bats.

This opening day means our friendly area farmers are seeing plenty of bounty on their properties. It means their nurturing kept spring crops healthy during the recent months of wacky roller-coaster hot/freezing weather.

And it means, for us in Oak Park, that the local doughnut shops have some steep competition, at least they do on Saturday mornings at the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot on Lake Street. Oh, and did I mention the live bluegrass jam?

This is the 37th opening day for the Oak Park Market and a market veteran – Herbally Yours, featuring herb-infused, hand crafted vinegar – is being celebrated today as the Vendor of the Week.

This is also a Go Green! day, with earth-friendly guests mingling with the farmers at this week’s and next week’s market. Participants include: the Environmental & Energy Advisory Commission; Slow Food Chicago; Cheney Mansion; Community & Economic Development Association of Cook County, Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program -&- Low-Income Heating & Energy Assistance Program -&- Home Weatherization Program; Seven Generations Ahead; Friends of Oak Park Conservatory; EcoLogical Products/Electric Car/Bike; and last but not least, the OPRFHS Environmental/Biology Club.

Oak Park Patch has a grid with the full farmer lineup this week here. 

And the Village of Oak Park filmed this video featuring farmer and father of five Scott Koster from Geneva Lakes.

This is my second year as an Oak Park Commissioner and at least the fifth year I’ve been a market volunteer, helping man the info booth. I’m not working the booth today, but will be there bright and early next week to help answer any questions.