During opening day of the 2023 season on Saturday morning, the Turlock Certified Farmers Market hosted over 50 vendors on Main Street for the first time in its 13-year history. The large list of vendors led to hundreds flocking to downtown Turlock to experience the largest market in the city’s history for themselves.
To put the magnitude of this market in perspective for those who couldn’t make it out this past weekend, vendors were lined up from between Main Street Antiques and Vintage Market all the way down to the intersection of East Main Street and South Palm Street.
Amongst those vendors were several familiar faces, including the folks at Ledesma Family Farms of Gustine.
“We’re happy to be here,” said employee Gustavo Angel. “This market (is) one of the best.”
On the corner of Main Street and Thor Street directly in front of the Charity Thrift Store was another staple of the market, which was live music. And right beside the band setup was Way of Life Farms of Snelling, selling their popular eggs and variety of baked goods for the very first time in Turlock.
Earlier in the morning during setup, owners Sandy and Jake Brannan explained that there was a bit of rain coming down, making many hesitant about the turnout. Once 8 a.m. rolled around, the skies cleared, making for a day full of traffic for the couple in their first Turlock Farmers Market experience.
Especially happy with the weather was market director Nick Schuller and TCFM president Theresa Kiehn.
“I don’t think we could’ve asked for a better day,” Schuller said. “And the weather is only getting better.”
George and Ellen Kosmas, owners of Crust & Crumb Bakery, agreed. For the first time in a handful of years, the restaurant set up shop on their porch to sell baked goods. As Ellen went back and forth from outside to the kitchen to check up on her pies, George held down the booth, catching up with community members who hadn’t seen him in some time as he has been battling cancer.
“It’s great to be out here again and see everybody,” he said. “Hopefully this market continues to bring people downtown… It’s a beautiful downtown.”
As the Kosmas family took their seats under the trees of Main Street, children were also taking their seats just a couple feet down the block thanks to the Turlock Moms Club. This year, the organization will be setting up a reading area for kids every first Saturday market of the month.
“We’re obviously all moms and so we wanted to do something for the kids out here and be able to introduce ourselves to those visiting,” said club founder Alicia Turino. “It’s all about having fun and giving back.”
Other dates to mark on the calendar is the Mother’s Day Market, which is this weekend. May 20 will bring the Jeani Ferrari Scholarship Presentation, which will honor Turlock-area high school applicants.
The 2023 Turlock Certified Farmers Market will run every Saturday through October, open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
