The Market Festival on the Square
After a long winter’s break, I was able to take part in one of my favorite summer time activities here in Jasper County. The Market Festival on the Square opened up for its fifth season, and as always, offered the gardener in me plenty of opportunities and even some new possibilities for my garden.
No matter what your style or taste in the garden is, there is plenty to choose from while shopping the Market. I saw a host of both annuals (those flowers that live only one year, while blooming all season long,) and perennials, those flowers that will come back year after year, and bloom for a specific period of time each year. There was a variety of lantana, with many colors to choose from. Along with this were coneflowers, baby’s breath, dahlias, and others among the perennial list.
Annuals offer a strong boost of color all summer long, and into the fall. By the end of the growing season, they are about worn out, and die over the winter. They are great for filling in spaces in your garden while your perennials grow to maturity. Annuals offered at the Market include snapdragons, vinca, marigolds, and impatiens.
Perhaps this is the year that you want to try growing some of your own vegetables. With the poor economy, and with money tight, growing your own veggies is a great way to save money, while at the same time, helping to ensure that you eat organically, as well.
Whether you have a lot of space, or only have enough room for a few pots on your porch, vegetables are not difficult to grow. The Market has a wide variety of tomato plants to choose from, with different sizes, shapes, colors, and tastes. These can be grown in a pot, as well as in your garden bed.
I also saw a number of other veggie plants, including beans, squash, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes. Perhaps you have a fruity side to you. The Market offers various melon plants, as well.
My children always enjoy going to the Market Festival on the Square, as they often come home with a treasure or two of their own. As I walked along the square, I saw homemade wooden trains, planes, boats, and soldiers. My son really enjoys the wooden swords and spears, while my two older daughters often buy some homemade jewelry. Of course, we always leave with an ice cream cone and a balloon. This past Saturday, I was refreshed with an ice cold lemonade.
Oh, and there are the jams, jellies, and cakes, too! Such feasts for my sweet tooth. I promise you, you will not find a better homemade cake in the nation than you will each Saturday morning at the Market. And the jams and jellies! My goodness! Don’t forget the music. There is always something good to listen to. If you would like to perform, just call up Market Co-ordinator David Dyer at 706-468-8683.
We, in Jasper County, are quite fortunate to have such a grand Market. While residents in other counties might have to drive elsewhere to buy fresh produce, cakes, plants, and flowers, we here in Monticello simply need to come to the square each Saturday for our week’s supply. As a community, we need to support our Market, and encourage others from nearby towns and cities to visit each Saturday. If not, this fifth year might be the last year.
So, join me this Saturday, and every Saturday, at the Market on the Square as I buy new plants for my garden, new cakes and jellies for my table, and new gifts for the kids. Enjoy!