News
Community
ENLARGE
From the freshest greens to a cowboy hat made from a beer bottle box, South Lake Tahoe's outdoor markets have it all. And aside from the goods, the city's increasing number of farmers markets and arts and crafts fairs are a place to socialize.
“It's like a little social scene,” said Dave Carpenter, co-owner and operator of Tahoe Mountain Soap, from his booth at the American Legion Farmers Market on Tuesday. “It's visitors. It's locals. You see everyone you know. People come to the market thinking they'll be here for a few minutes and they end up staying for a few hours.”
At the Tuesday market, Tahoe's longest-running outdoor market, children ran in packs, parents gazed at and discussed all things produce and vendors showed off their wares, whether photographs, soap or garden sculptures. Parking attendants had to direct cars away from the packed lot and onto nearby roads for spots.
“It's just a good market,” said Hank “Papa Hank” Canclini, who was selling organic blue berries from his farm in the foothills. “Look at the crowd.”
Canclini has been selling at the American Legion farmers market for seven years.
Vendors, both newer and older, agreed that the market often had a great turnout and that South Lake Tahoe is a great venue for outdoor markets.
“This is a great turnout all the time,” said Rob Espinoza, who was selling Hamlow Ranch peaches, nectarines and plums across from Canclini's booth. “It's very good. It's one of the better ones.”
At the Ski Run Farmers Market on Fri day, about 20 vendors turned up to sell produce, arts and crafts, cooked food and other goods.
“I think South Lake Tahoe is a great place for markets,” said Sara Cortesy, a San Fran cisco resident who was selling enormous rad ishes and other produce for Wild Roam Farm through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. “It just really feels like a lot of people care about what they're buying.”
Katy Gott sold breads, pastries and cookies for Upper Crust Baking Company. She's been coming to the Ski Run Farmers Market since it started last year and looks forward to her drive up from Davis.
“The location is the best, looking at the lake all day,” she said. “And (the weather) is so much better than the 100 degree heat down there.”
Ski Run Farmers Market sprouted last year just as the Meyers Farmers Market faded away. Founder Alex Mellon partnered with farmer Todd Grosby to organize the weekly event. They received support and permitting from the Ski Run Business Im provement District.
“There's been a lot of support,” Mellon said.
He hopes the Ski Run Farmers Market can avoid the downward spiral of fewer vendors and fewer visitors, he said. Several vendors who'd been a part of the Meyers market said this location was more likely to draw a crowd.
“I think it's a good location because it's got a close proximity to the tourist center and the local spots,” Grosby said from his booth.
“It's like a little social scene,” said Dave Carpenter, co-owner and operator of Tahoe Mountain Soap, from his booth at the American Legion Farmers Market on Tuesday. “It's visitors. It's locals. You see everyone you know. People come to the market thinking they'll be here for a few minutes and they end up staying for a few hours.”
At the Tuesday market, Tahoe's longest-running outdoor market, children ran in packs, parents gazed at and discussed all things produce and vendors showed off their wares, whether photographs, soap or garden sculptures. Parking attendants had to direct cars away from the packed lot and onto nearby roads for spots.
“It's just a good market,” said Hank “Papa Hank” Canclini, who was selling organic blue berries from his farm in the foothills. “Look at the crowd.”
Canclini has been selling at the American Legion farmers market for seven years.
Vendors, both newer and older, agreed that the market often had a great turnout and that South Lake Tahoe is a great venue for outdoor markets.
“This is a great turnout all the time,” said Rob Espinoza, who was selling Hamlow Ranch peaches, nectarines and plums across from Canclini's booth. “It's very good. It's one of the better ones.”
At the Ski Run Farmers Market on Fri day, about 20 vendors turned up to sell produce, arts and crafts, cooked food and other goods.
“I think South Lake Tahoe is a great place for markets,” said Sara Cortesy, a San Fran cisco resident who was selling enormous rad ishes and other produce for Wild Roam Farm through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. “It just really feels like a lot of people care about what they're buying.”
Katy Gott sold breads, pastries and cookies for Upper Crust Baking Company. She's been coming to the Ski Run Farmers Market since it started last year and looks forward to her drive up from Davis.
“The location is the best, looking at the lake all day,” she said. “And (the weather) is so much better than the 100 degree heat down there.”
Ski Run Farmers Market sprouted last year just as the Meyers Farmers Market faded away. Founder Alex Mellon partnered with farmer Todd Grosby to organize the weekly event. They received support and permitting from the Ski Run Business Im provement District.
“There's been a lot of support,” Mellon said.
He hopes the Ski Run Farmers Market can avoid the downward spiral of fewer vendors and fewer visitors, he said. Several vendors who'd been a part of the Meyers market said this location was more likely to draw a crowd.
“I think it's a good location because it's got a close proximity to the tourist center and the local spots,” Grosby said from his booth.
