HEART OF STEELE

This weekend marks the beginning of my favorite warm weather tradition: The Owatonna farmers market opens for the season on Saturday, May 4.

From 7 a.m. to around noon, dozens of tables will be lined up and ready in Central Park to offer fresh, seasonal produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items, and more. This year, opening day coincides with a Cinco de Mayo celebration, which will mean even more fun with food trucks, bounce houses, and games.

(These two events, both centered around building a sense of community, seem like such a natural fit that I wouldn’t mind seeing them happen together every first weekend in May.)

We’re so fortunate to have volunteer coordinator John Meixner of Little Professor Book Center, vendors, and others willing to put in the work from May through October. Take a walk around the park, and you’ll see the benefits of the farmers market go well beyond access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

It’s a place for friends and neighbors to meet and enjoy each other’s company. Artisans, producers, and growers have a chance to chat directly with customers and answer questions.

These upcoming Saturdays also give local entrepreneurs a chance to see whether what they have to sell is something that people need and/or want. With a boost of confidence, they just may take the next big step with their business.

And speaking of business, have you ever made your way downtown on a farmers market Saturday? With the park’s proximity to the central business district, many folks take advantage of the easy walk and give downtown shops and restaurants an economic boost, especially with the streetscape features completed last year.

The annual farmers market gives people yet another reason to choose Owatonna as a place to call home. It’s one more activity for weekend visitors to enjoy. And it adds something unique to the heart of our community.