33 of the 34 Saturday markets were actually quite decent weather-wise–not too windy, usually a bit chilly in the early part of the day and warming by noon; not a lot of rain or snow. Way better than last year with six rainy Saturdays in a row. This year the epic Front Range flooding affected the latter part of the season for many of the vendors and farmers who had significant losses and damage to their farms. We all felt the impact at the market, yet we did our best to support each other. Interesting to me to feel how we operate independently, but our success depends on helping others to be successful.

My market experience has certainly had some ups and downs. I have had to hold on to the tent and hold onto to the table (and everything on it) to keep things from flying away during intense wind gusts, and I’ve witnessed what a rainy, sleety, cold and grey day can do to discourage shoppers from hanging around, resulting in a less than great sales day. And when you are schlepping tent, table and products back and forth and setting up and taking down–you better wish for gentle days that support and encourage the experience of being out and about with the public. Many things can make the difference between a mediocre day and a great day. And, how do I define great? Sometimes, it is the money, but more often than not it is a connection with someone or a happy and returning customer.

So, maybe my short term memory allows me to forget that I dressed with five layers on most days and am often seen pacing or jumping up and down in place to get circulation moving in my toes. Maybe, it is easy to forget how beastly the industrial tent is to put up and take down and secure–a two person job! How about the 6am wake-up to load everything into the car by 7am and then to dissemble at 2pm and unpack the car at home until the next Saturday. Maybe, it is just that attending the market as a vendor is as varied as a day can be–unpredictable; exciting; frustrating; lonely, exhilarating, spirited, and community building, exhausting, you name it–the gamut of emotions and experiences.

So, when all is said and done, a price cannot be put on the lessons learned throughout the season, the people that I met, the contacts and support I found, the sense of a community–a world unto itself. I was pleased with my first year as a full time vendor, and I look forward to next year, seeing those familiar and new faces. And, although I grew to love my spacious spot on Canyon–I guess the goal is to get a coveted 13th street spot. We shall see 🙂 In the meantime, thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to succeed.

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