Big Lake’s Farmer’s Market is open weekly on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakeside Park. The market features many vendors who set up tents on a weekly basis and some vendors who come off and on.

Big Lake Recreation and Communication Coordinator Corrie Scott has been pleased with the weekly event that first commenced June 3.

“We’ve typically seen 20-25 booths each week including the food booths,” Scott said. “The weather has been pretty good so far for the season.”

Scott recruits talented musicians to provide entertainment during the event and last week’s featured artist was Minneapolis’ Ira Hayes, a guitarist who plays cover songs and some originals . His voice is eerily like Neil Young and Wednesday he brought his girlfriend, Amera Abdelrehem, who provided harmony, backup and played percussion. Their style is described as Americana Rock.

Clara Sandberg of Maple Grove had a booth that featured vegetables, plants and flowers. Noah Archuleta of Big Lake had his wood carvings and signs on display under a canopy in the hot sun.

Along the south side of the parking lot was a mini donut booth and a lemonade stand. There was also a food truck called Gouda Food that had food items created with gouda cheese.

Oak Park Farm had bins of produce along with a farm called Compost Guy. LV Garden had vegetables and produce and Grace’s Goodies had a table full of breads, pies and cookies.

Bright Haven Farm was selling plants and flowers and Lisa Hauer of St. Cloud at Succulent Queen had thickened, fleshy, and engorged plants planted in hand-crafted pots.

Hennums had homemade salsa and Svihel Farms had a plethora of items including vegetables, berries and honey. Matt’s Mushrooms and More of Monticello had fresh, quality wild mushrooms and syrup.

Workers at the String & Things booth had unique jewelry items made from guitar strings. They are out of St. Cloud. Noah’s Lawn & Garden Decor featured birdhouses and carvings at modest prices.

Zouy Cards promoted 3-D, pop-up greeting cards and Great Harvest Bread had a booth of delectable loaves, cookies and scones.

Tina Peterson of the BLPD “manned” the police booth where she answered any questions citizens had and greeted newcomers.

Mavki Produce of Foreston, MN was selling salsa, chalk boards, zucchini, and hand-made cutting boards.

Jackie Wisherd and her husband Dale of Big Lake were selling unique birdhouses, stands and custom-painted lawn items. Many of their birdhouses were painted in color schemes according to local sports teams like the Vikings, Twins and Wild.

Trudy of Trudy’s Homemade Favorites sold breads, beets, pickles and jam at her booth and Becky’s Bars & Potions had a table promoting Young Living Oils.

Another well visited booth was Specialty Jams that sold apple butter, strawberries, beets, salsa, relish and pickles.

Big Lake’s Farmer’s Market is a treat for residents of Big Lake and the variety of goods is outstanding. Don’t miss out!

Next Week

See our article on the Becker Farmer’s Market in next week’s Patriot.