When walking into the farmer’s market, there is a lot to take in. Families stroll the stalls of vegetables homemade foods. The vegetable stands contain many of the same things. Tomatoes, corn, green beans and cucumbers, peppers and squash were abundant in the many vendors’ stalls. At almost every stall, however, were tomatoes. Big and small, red and orange tomatoes were everywhere. Flowers are also a big part of the market. Live plants were for sale and cut flowers were also available at a number of stalls. The flowers for sale came in a variety of colors and scents and types. Sunflowers and gladiolas were present, among many others. The homemade foods were mixed in with the vegetable vendors. Homemade jams, jellies and maple syrup were placed at their stands. Candles, soap and lip balm were also among the homemade things available at the market. Fresh meats and other animal products were also scattered about the market. Most were advertising grass fed or free-range animals.
A kind of food court was also present when walking passed the vendors. Local bakeries and coffee shops were there to sell their goodies. Some places sold sandwiches as well; the aroma of the cooking meat could be smelled throughout the entire market. There were also stations set up for community programs around Bloomington. A pre-school gave a display of their program. A religious group was set up next to the pre-school. Across from these two booths was a booth for the Indiana University playgroup. The girl there was talking about the different plays that had been shown and what was coming up for the next year. A political group was also there, right in front of a band. They were talking about the local candidate that was with their political party. At three different locations were band set ups. When arriving, one set had already been shut down for the day. The other two were continuing to play. A band playing a kind of jazzy music was set up in the back. They were playing a bass, drums and saxophone. The other band, named Blue Cut, was in the center of the market playing their bass, guitar and harmonica. The bands were playing “family friendly” music. They were not cursing or using any kind of derogatory lyrics in the music. The tempo of the songs was upbeat in a place that was so alive with people at the time.
The people at the farmer’s market were mostly families. Couples could be seen by the dozen pushing their babes around in strollers or watching over walking toddlers as the parents browsed the many goods available. Some brought the family dog and walked around the shady, grass area and took turns going into the market. However, dogs were not allowed to be in the market itself. An adopt-a-dog station was set up where the animals were allowed. Children could come and pet the dogs while the marketers pitched a campaign to help the dogs and become adopted. This grassy area was leveled slightly so that there were ledges that people could comfortably sit on and rest in the heat of the day. Many families were stationed here while the children played in the empty fountain within view.
The presence of so many families and people with children does not mean that other age groups were not present as well. Older men and women stood alongside the families at the various booths. The older people were often in pairs or groups; it was seldom to see an older man or woman walking around without a companion. Younger adults were also splayed around the farmer’s market. All age groups, from infants to older adults, were scattered throughout the farmer’s market.
The music played at the market was “family friendly” and appealed to a wide diversity of people. There were different kinds of music being played at different spots in the market. People of all age groups were present. The farmer’s market is a family orientated function in the Bloomington community. The food stands offer healthy choices of fresh vegetables and fruits, meats and homemade goodies. The city of Bloomington is in support of healthy lifestyle choices and those choices are reflected at the city’s farmer’s market. “Organic” and “pesticide free” are many signs that are proudly hung from many of the vendor’s stalls.
The community comes together and participates together at the farmer’s market. Everyone is encouraged to come and join. This participation can be seen as shopping, selling, making music or just strolling through and taking the whole thing in. This community participation shows a relationship to the way participatory music is made. Everyone is encouraged to join and do whatever it is that can the person can do to help out, whether it be to support the local farmer’s market or make music.
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