Participating farms:

Rhoads Farm Market From our Christmas tree farm, we are bringing fresh cut trees of 5 varieties and in various sizes. Our trees are cut fresh daily and can be ordered to your specific size and type. rhoadsgardencenter.com will preview the quality of our farm and also print a coupon if you cut-your-own in Circleville. Call 740-404-5694 to order a tree for delivery one of the next 2 Saturdays. We will also have porch containers designed with fresh greens. 

Seibel Tree Farm We will be selling fresh cut Christmas trees from 7AM-noon. Call for special orders by phone at 740-967-0000.
 

Thomas Family Orchard We will have nine varieties of apples and apple cider! 

Wayward Seed Farm  We’ll be bringing certified organic turnips, winter radishes, late season greens, potatoes, winter squash, herbs and leeks.

Also here this weekend:

Salvation Army will have their red kettle on the porch collecting donations from 10AM-3PM.

Short Stop Youth Center will be roasting chestnuts and grilling brezel pretzel twists and selling them for $1.00 from 10AM-2PM to raise funds for their community-based prevention programs.

Charity Newsies will be selling their papers to help clothe needy school children from 9AM-2PM inside the market house.

Kids’ Cookie Decorating this Sunday Sponsored by Mozart’s Bakery

Bring your kids to the Dispatch Kitchen on the second floor of the North Market this Sunday from noon to 2PM and they can put their artistic finishing touches upon cut-out cookies provided by Mozart’s Bakery!

From frosting to colorful sugars and candy sprinkles we’ll have all of the essentials that your cookie artist will need to embellish their holiday cookie to eat on the spot or take home for later! Dispatch Kitchen maven, Robin Davis and Mary Martineau, North Market’s Director of Marketing will be on hand dishing out icing, cookies and decorations.

There’s no place like the North Market to get you into the holiday spirit. From the friendly salutations of the merchants to the array of delectable cuisine, the bustle of market commerce on a winter weekend is sure to warm your heart and have you humming holiday tunes! Join us for the most splendid of seasonal weekends at the North Market for the Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza on Saturday, December 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 12-5 p.m.

Our merchants will be armed with an array of samples to tempt your taste buds and help you formulate your holiday feasts. As always, they are endowed with the wisdom of years of experience to give you excellent advice. The second floor will be devoted to forty-five local artisans and crafters for a weekend of shopping for distinctive handmade gifts. Jewelry, glass, textiles, bath and body products and knitted items are just a few of the categories represented by the local artists in our craft fair. Local musicians will provide holiday tunes to shop and dine by and the kids will enjoy the face painting and the Nutcracker Toy Solider. The whole family can get into the holiday spirit at the North Market Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza!

Scheduled Holiday Open House Activities include:

Saturday, December 3

• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., North Market merchants and Craft Extravaganza vendors on second floor open for business
• 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Christmas tree sales at the farmers’ market
• 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., holiday music by Marion Funk, accordion
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., face painting
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., roasted chestnuts and pretzels with Short Stop Youth Center (farmers market)
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., holiday music by Miss Molly
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Joyunspeakable, the living statue as the Nutcracker Toy Soldier
• 1 – 3 p.m., holiday music by Island Breeze
• 3 – 5 p.m., holiday music by the Eileen Howard Jazz Trio

Sunday, December 4

• 12-5 p.m., North Market merchants and Craft Extravaganza vendors on second floor open for business
• 12 – 5 p.m., face painting
• 1 – 3 p.m., Joyunspeakable, the living statue as the Nutcracker Toy
• 12 -2 p.m., holiday music by Dan Heidt
• 2-5 p.m., holiday music by the Piano Peddler

Participating artisans include:

Amy made it! ~ bags, purses and totes made from recycled Starbucks packaging

Andy Glass ~ hand-blown glass ornaments and sun catchers

B. Radley ~ cross stitched finery, jewelry and accessories

BC Appliqué ~ appliquéd towels, bibs, guardian angels

Beaniestalk ~ upcycled hair accessories

Beau and Pearl ~ hand forged sterling silver jewelry

Black Cat Designs ~ enameled jewelry, purse bling and art pieces

Black Market ~ hand knit scarves, crocheted hats, jewelry

Carmacazzi ~ hand printed apparel for men and women

Corazon y Mano ~ cigar box jewelry boxes, jewelry, cards

Crafty Beavers ~ knitted kitty hats, plush knitted kitties and dinosaurs, DIY lip balm kits

Mary Ann Crago ~ original art magnets, light switch plates and small assemblages

D.Action Productions ~ hand rolled beeswax candles decorated with flowers, stones and shells

David Morgan Art Works ~ wire sculpture, ornaments, kinetic mobiles, watercolor postcards

Dolly Girl Designs ~ aprons, pot holders, mittens and accessories

Kristin Ellis ~ original silver-smithed jewelry

Genoa Soap ~ sixteen varieties of soap, gift sets, bath fizzies

Girl Pie ~ pressed fern ornaments, crocheted animals, headbands, mosaics and more

Green Handle Designs ~ beaded and semi-precious stone jewelry

Infantaisle ~ baby gear including bibs, burp cloths, snack pads and more

Jan’s Gourds ~ decorative hand-painted gourd accessories and bird houses

Brenda Jennings ~ hand-dyed silk scarves, gift bags and wraps

Jennifer Sadler Designs ~ jewelry made with resin, glass and stone beads

Jenny Pope Designs ~ dichroic and fused glass jewelry

Jonathan Juravich ~ metal hand-punched ornaments, recycled key chains, greeting cards

Lark Meadow ~ handmade bound books and prints

Patrice Lehocky ~ purses made from reclaimed materials

Leslie June Designs ~ handmade ceramic pendant jewelry and ornaments

Little Critter Plushies ~ plush toys, pillows and ornaments

MaraM ~ bags and accessories from recycled materials

Mary Moon Designs ~ appliquéd bags, wristlets and accessories

Moon Garden ~ handmade candles, soaps, lotions, lip balm, shea butter and perfumes

Objet Adapté (Saturday only) ~ upcycled vintage feed sack bags and aprons

“Pine”-ing Away (outdoors) ~ evergreen Christmas wreaths and swags

Poshta Design ~ handcrafted paper goods including cards, stationery and bookplates

Eric Rausch ~ pottery, wall tiles and ceramic sculpture

Clinton Reno ~ hand-screened rock posters, t-shirts, journals and stickers

Sparrow Vine ~ handcut one-of-a-kind paper cutouts, cards and ornaments

Sweet Stella Designs ~ sweet polymer accessories

Team Chipmunk ~ children’s clothing made from vintage materials

Ticking Cats ~ watercolor cat clocks, painted wooden boxes and pins

Umbrella Girl Productions ~ sewn stationery, greeting cards, gift cards, hair scarves and pot holders

Vintage Gal Creations ~ accessories découpaged with vintage style images

Vintage Vamp (Sunday only) ~ artisan jewelry incorporating vintage parts

Wholly Craft! ~ an array of hand-crafted items by local artisans

Windy Lane Farm Alpacas ~ knitted and hand-woven alpaca items

With the Grain ~ wheat weavings: ornaments, mobiles and wreaths

With Nature in Mind ~ soap, body butters, herbal bath bags, linen sprays, scrubs and masks

Zebra Pie Gifts ~ glass tile jewelry and 100% soy candles

The North Market Holiday Open House and Craft Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, December 3 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 12 – 5 p.m. Admission is free.  For more information, please call the North Market at (614) 463-9664 or visit www.northmarket.com. Artisan admissions are closed.

Dear North Market Shopper,

While other Farmers’ Markets in town are beginning to wind down, we’re still going strong. And this recent spate of warm weather has provided an extra boost to our growers.

This season started a little late with a cool and rainy Spring, but as the summer has progressed growing conditions have been ideal. So, don’t be surprised when you see some customarily summer produce along with the more traditional Fall offerings.

Additionally, as we don’t have an established end date for our Farmers’ Market, this season you can most likely expect freshly picked produce late into October and possibly into November.

As the holiday season approaches it’s time to start thinking about those special occasions and festive gatherings. It’s never too early to start planning and “shopping” the Market for creative ideas. Every year, we’re the focal point for the finest and freshest local ingredients. This year will be no different.
 

Read the rest of Dave’s note here⇒

Farmers’ Market update for October 8

Participating farms;

Anderson Orchard   I’ll have sunflowers (pollenless) , zinnias and mixed bouquets, potatoes, quince, assorted pumpkins and decorative squash, wreaths of wild viniferous vines entwined with bittersweet, sprigs of bittersweet,
papaya plants and apple dumplings made from organic apples.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have naturally grown beans, candy onions, collard greens, garlic, ground cherries, heirloom tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, okra, peppers, potatoes, radishes and delicious red Russian kale.

Bridgman Farm I’ll have delicious tomatoes, onions, peppers and winter squash.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, MUMS are here and assorted vegetables including beets, cabbage, collards, eggplant, mustard greens, okra, poblano peppers and radishes.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have lemon verbena infused honey, chunk honey, comb honey, spring and summer honey, honey stix, handcrafted soap and beeswax candles.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing cucumbers, eggplant, okra, onions, hot and sweet peppers and squash.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be bringing our family’s Farmstead Gouda washed in Barley’s Russian Stout. 

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, blueberry and strawberry drinkable yogurt and soft serve vanilla ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, fall squash, gourds, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, seedless watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini and green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We plan to bring Keiffer pears, dried tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, popcorn, granola, pancake mix, chunk honey, honey, whole wheat flour, farm fresh eggs, cornmeal and pears. And we will be sampling pancakes with our homemade pancake mix!

Rhoads Farm Market This week we will have tomatoes (ask about field specials for canning), peppers, eggplant, beets, turnips, butternut squash and possibly a limited supply of Brussels sprouts.

Rock Dove Farm  We will have turnips, fennel, head lettuce, salad mix, eggplant, beets, parsley, sage, lemon mint, mint, and basil.

Somerset Greenhouse  I’ll be bringing butternut squash, potatoes, garlic, basil, lots and lots of peppers and lettuce.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have FIFTEEN varieties of apples and apple cider!

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, Asian stir fry mix, kale, mizuna, onions, parsley, potatoes, summer and winter squash, tatsoi  and turnips.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have certified organic arugula, celery, daikon radishes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, fall greens, herbs, onions, and leeks. Special guest Jim Budros will be onhand from 10AM-12PM grilling up calcots!

Harvest Festival Schedule of Activities

• Farmers’ Market and Market merchants open at 8 a.m.
• Market to Market breakfast in Dispatch Kitchen, 8 – 10 a.m.
• Cooking demonstrations at Local Matters tent, 9 – 11 a.m.
• Live music by Joey Hebdo, 9 – 11 a.m.
• Face painting, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Free cookies for kids, from Mozart’s Bakery, 10 a.m.
• Mark Wood Cowboy Fun Show, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Autumn crafts with Columbus Artmobile, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Live music by Gipson and Fitz Trio, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Pumpkin Pie contest, 1 p.m.
• Live music by Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Apple pie contest, 2 p.m.
• Live music by Folkwood Players, 3-5 p.m.
 

Market to Market Ride

Ahoy maties! We’re coming down to the final hours to pre-register for the October 8 Market to Market ride for $15. Register online here⇒ until noon Friday.

Choose “Team Zombie” or “Team Pirate” and dress accordingly or choose your own team and costume entirely, but  make sure to get your photo taken at the Nash Imaging Events photo booth at The Hills Market for chances to win additional prizes!

Three cheers for our participating sponsors and organizations: The Hills Market, North Market, B1 Bicycles, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave Magazine, Crimson Cup Coffee, Columbus Food Adventures, Dine Originals Columbus, The Fawcett Center, FLOW, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Local Matters, Nash Imaging, OEFFA, The Olive Orchard, Open Heart Creatures, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Slow Food, Small Business Beanstalk, Snowville Creamery, WCBE: Central Ohio’s NPR Station, Wexner Center for the Arts and Yelp Columbus.

Participating Farms:

Anderson Orchard  I’ll have Asian pears, baked goods, pollen-free sunflowers, gladiolus, fig plants, papaya plants, tomatoes and zinnias.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have naturally grown beans, candy onions, collard greens, garlic, ground cherries, heirloom tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, okra, peppers, potatoes, radishes and delicious red Russian kale.

Bridgman Farm I’ll have delicious tomatoes, onions, peppers and winter squash.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, MUMS are here and assorted vegetables including beets, cabbage, collards, eggplant, mustard greens, okra, poblano peppers and radishes.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have lemon verbena infused honey, chunk honey, comb honey, spring and summer honey, honey stix, handcrafted soap and beeswax candles.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing cucumbers, eggplant, okra, onions, hot and sweet peppers and squash.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be bringing our family’s Farmstead Gouda washed in Barley’s Russian Stout. 

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, blueberry and strawberry drinkable yogurt and soft serve vanilla ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, fall squash, gourds, greens, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, seedless watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini and green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We will be away this week, but we will return on October 8.

Rhoads Farm Market This week we will have tomatoes (ask about field specials for canning), peppers, eggplant, beets, turnips, butternut squash and possibly a limited supply of Brussels sprouts.

Rock Dove Farm  We should have baby turnips, beets, chard,  fennel, kale and sage.

Somerset Greenhouse  I’ll be bringing heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash, potatoes, garlic, basil, lots and lots of peppers, lettuce and green beans.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have FOURTEEN varieties of apples and apple cider!

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, Asian stir fry mix, kale, mizuna, onions, parsley, potatoes, summer and winter squash, tatsoi  and turnips.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have herbs, leeks, paste tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery and peppers.

Artisan Sunday

Columbus’ creative class of artisans and crafters converges on the farmers’ market on the first and third Sundays from May through October peddling their handmade wares from 12-5PM. Enjoy music by Willie Phoenix from 12-2PM.

Things you should register for on October 8:

(1) The Market to Market Ride on Saturday, October 8. Grab breakfast at the North Market or The Hills Market then hit the Olentangy River Greenway to the market at the opposite end of the trail. Visit with local vendors and organizations along the way to get your passport stamped, then pick up a backpack of goodies and discounts when you reach your destination, oh, and a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream too! Registration is $15 in advance (limit 400) and $20 at the door. Register online here⇒

(2) Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home demonstration in the Dispatch Kitchen at the North Market on Saturday, October 8 from 12-2PM. Cost is $10 per person (limit 75) and includes free ice cream tasting! Register online here⇒

(3) The Harvest Festival Pumpkin and Apple Pie Contests. If you make a marvelous pumpkin or apple pie, you should enter it into our Harvest Festival baking contests for a chance to win $100 in North Market gift certificates. The Pumpkin Pie Contest will be held at 1PM and the Apple Pie Contest at 2PM. Limit 15 entries per contest.  Email mmartineau@northmarket.com for more details.

The North Market Harvest Festival is one of the culminating events of Local Matters Local Foods Week on Saturday, October 8. In addition to our usual extravaganza of harvest produce, baking contests, live music and kids’ activities, as part of their Local Foods Week celebration, Local Matters will do cooking demonstrations in a tent on the farmers’ market plaza.

This festival is a fun one for the kiddies with a plethora of activities and entertainment. Mark Wood will be twisting balloon animals and executing fancy rope tricks. Rita Miller will be on hand for fanciful full face painting. There will be give-aways of cookies and the Columbus Artmobile will offer harvest-inspired craft projects for the kiddies.

Jeni Britton-Bauer will host an ice cream making demonstration in the Dispatch Kitchen at the North Market from 12 – 2 p.m. Jeni will be discussing techniques and recipes from her recently published book, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home. Registration for this limited attendance affair is $10 and available online here⇒. A free book signing will take place in the Dispatch Kitchen following the demonstration at 2 p.m.

Enterprising customers have a couple of opportunities to take home a prize in our Harvest Festival baking contests. In the pumpkin and apple pie contests, entrants are invited to submit their favorite recipe for judging. Each pie competition winner will receive $100 in North Market gift certificates. Second place will receive $50 in North Market gift certificates. Participation is limited to 12 entries per contest. To register or for more information, please email mmartineau@northmarket.com

Scheduled Harvest Festival activities include:
• Farmers’ Market and North Market merchants open at 8 a.m.
• Market to Market breakfast in the Dispatch Kitchen, 8 – 10 a.m.
• Cooking demonstrations at the Local Matters tent, 9 – 11 a.m.
• Live music by Joey Hebdo, 9 – 11 a.m.
• Face painting, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Free pumpkin cookies for the kids, courtesy of Mozart’s Bakery, 10 a.m. while supply lasts.
• Mark Wood Cowboy Fun Show, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Autumn crafts with the Columbus Artmobile, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Live music by Gipson and Fitz Trio, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Ice Cream making demonstration and book signing with Jeni Britton-Bauer in the Dispatch Kitchen, 12 – 3 p.m., registration fee of $10 required.
• Pumpkin Pie contest, 1 p.m.
• Live music by Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Apple pie contest, 2 p.m.
• Live music by Folkwood Players, 3-5 p.m.

The North Market Harvest Festival begins at 8 a.m. and is a free event. For more information or to sign-up for any of the contests, please call the North Market at (614) 463-9664 or visit www.northmarket.com.

Participating farms:

Anderson Orchard   I’ll have Asian pears, baked goods, pollen-free sunflowers, gladiolus, fig plants, papaya plants, tomatoes and zinnias.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have naturally grown beans, candy onions, garlic, ground cherries, heirloom tomatoes (including the excellent, low acid Aunt Sarah variety), jalapeno peppers, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, peppers, potatoes and radishes.

Bridgman Farm I’ll have delicious cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, onions, peppers, squash and watermelon.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, MUMS are here and assorted vegetables including beets, eggplant, okra and poblano peppers.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have black locust honey, chunk honey, comb honey, quart jars of pollen and summer and fall honey stix.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing cucumbers, eggplant, Malabar spinach, okra, onions, hot and sweet peppers and squash.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be bringing our family’s Farmstead Gouda washed in Barley’s Russian Stout. 

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, blueberry and strawberry drinkable yogurt and soft serve vanilla ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, fall squash, gourds, greens, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, seedless watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini and green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We plan to bring dried tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, popcorn, granola, pancake mix, chunk honey, honey, whole wheat flour,  farm fresh eggs, cornmeal and pears.

Rhoads Farm Market Seasons are changing and so is our availability. This week we will have tmatoes, watermelon, squash, eggplant, peppers. You are invited to visit www.rhoadsfarminc.com and place any advance orders.

Rock Dove Farm  We should have radishes, basil, parsley and mint.

Shady Brook Farm We will have cabbage, carrots, peppers, tomatoes and baked goods.

Somerset Greenhouse  I’ll be bringing heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash, potatoes, garlic, basil, lots and lots of peppers, lettuce and green beans.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have seedless grapes and six varieties of fall apples including Cortland, Jonathan and Macintosh. And the apple cider will be here Saturday!

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, Asian stir fry mix, kale, onions, parsley, potatoes, summer and winter squash  and turnips.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have herbs, leeks, paste tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery and peppers.

Columbus Microbrew Festival on Friday & Saturday

Tis time to eat, drink and get merry at the 6th annual Columbus Microbrew Festival!

Participating local microbreweries include: Barley’s Brewing Company, Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub, Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator Brewing Company, Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Hoster Brewing Company, Neil House Brewery and Weasel Boy Brewing Company. Representatives from each microbrewery will be on hand to answers questions about their signature drafts. 

Artisan Sunday this weekend

Columbus’ creative class of artisans and crafters converges on the farmers’ market on the first and third Sundays from May through October peddling their handmade wares from 12-5PM. This Sunday enjoy live music by Paul Painter & Mandy Dye from 12-2PM and the sweet sounds of Angela Perley 2-4PM.

For a list of this weekend’s participating artisans, click here⇒ 

SALE! Autumn Menu class on Sunday

SALE! On this Sunday’s (September 18) School of Cooking Class: Autumn dinner for casual entertaining with Sheri Lisak. In the Dispatch Kitchen from 1-3PM.
The menu:
Vegetable soup with butternut squash, white beans, caramelized onions and couscous; mixed greens salad with oranges, dried cranberries, and pecans; chocolate mint brownies.
Only $25 per person! Call 614-463-9664 to register or buy tickets online here⇒

Ahoy Maties! Supporting local foods, local merchants, Ohio purveyors and Ohio farmers (and having a little fun while doing it) is the mission at the heart of two Columbus markets, North Market and The Hills Market. The markets aligned to create the Market to Market ride in October of 2009 and have since sent more than 1,500 cyclists pedaling up and down the Olentangy River Greenway. On Saturday, October 8th they will host the fifth Market to Market ride. As it’s the Halloween season, the markets are using the October ride to encourage costumed cycling. All riders are encouraged to join “Team Pirate” or “Team Zombie” and dress commensurately while peddling their way up and down the bike path.

Participants have the option of starting at either market to fuel up with breakfast before embarking on the 13 mile adventure to the market at the other end of the bike trail. Each participating rider will be issued a passport at the beginning of their journey. Bikers can collect stamps along the way by visiting with local vendors and organizations set up along the path including B1 Bicycles, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave, Columbus Food Adventures, The Fawcett Center, FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed), Local Matters, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA), The Olive Orchard, Open Heart Creatures, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Slow Food, Small Business Beanstalk, WCBE, Wexner Center for the Arts and YELP Columbus.

 Nash Imaging Events will be stationed at The Hills Market with a photo booth to capture costumed riders and prizes will be awarded to five costumed cyclists based upon photos posted on the Market to Market facebook page. Participants who arrive at their destination market will be rewarded with a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and a drawstring backpack filled with coupons and goodies from local foods purveyors worth a total value of $50 worth of savings and samples. All participating riders will also be entered into a random drawing for a messenger bag from Seagull Bags. Costumed riders are eligible for prizes including a gift certificate from B1 Bicycles, tickets to a Columbus Food Adventures Tour, Dine Originals Columbus certificates, gift certificates from the Small Business Beanstalk and a set of oils from The Olive Orchard.

But wait! There’s more! Both markets will be hosting activities to provide riders a bit of entertaining “distraction” during each leg of their cycling journey. The Hills Market will be offering “Ohio Market Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with cooking demos featuring heart healthy and gluten-free cooking presented by the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the Olentangy River Greenway, the North Market will be celebrating its annual Harvest Festival. Local Matters will join the Market’s seasonal farmers in the plaza with cooking demonstrations to celebrate the culmination of Local Foods Week. Jeni Britton-Bauer will host an ice cream making demonstration and book signing in the Dispatch Kitchen from 12-2 p.m. and abundant live entertainment by local musicians will add to the gaiety of that day.

Market to Market will take place on Saturday, October 8. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The cost includes breakfast, a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (at either location), an event t-shirt and a drawstring backpack filled with up to $50 worth of savings on Ohio foods from both markets. Breakfast will be served at both locations from 8- 10 a.m. to allow for riders to eat and set out on the trail at their leisure. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will be available at both locations upon ride completion. Registration can be made online at northmarket.com or thehillsmarket.com by phone by calling 614-846-3220 (The Hills Market) or 614-463-9664 (North Market), or in person at either location beginning September 16. Participating organizations and sponsors include: The Hills Market, North Market, B1 Bicycles, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave Magazine, Crimson Cup Coffee, Columbus Food Adventures, Dine Originals Columbus, The Fawcett Center, FLOW, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Local Matters, Nash Imaging, OEFFA, The Olive Orchard, Open Heart Creatures, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Slow Food, Small Business Beanstalk, Snowville Creamery, WCBE: Central Ohio’s NPR Station, Wexner Center for the Arts and Yelp Columbus.

Last call for summer fun! The North Market will toast the end of summer with the 6th annual Columbus Microbrew Festival on September 16 and 17. Celebrate locally brewed ales, lagers and stouts in the company of the brewmasters from participating local microbreweries.

Participating local microbreweries include: Barley’s Brewing Company, Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub, Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator Brewing Company, Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Hoster Brewing Company, Neil House Brewery and Weasel Boy Brewing Company. Representatives from each microbrewery will be on hand to answers questions about their signature drafts.

Admission to the event is free. Beer tasting admission is $20 and includes a commemorative pint glass, ten tasting tickets and a $5 North Market food certificate. Discount coupons good for $2 off the tasting admission fee will be available at all participating microbreweries in September. Additional tasting tickets will be available for $.50 each. Tickets will be available in advance online here⇒ (starting September 1st) at the North Market business office and at the door on the days of the event.

Schedule of Activities:

• 5-9 p.m., microbreweries open for tasting, second floor of the North Market
• 5-7 p.m., music by The Drowsy Lads
• 7-9 p.m., music Grace Adele

Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• 8 a.m., North Market merchants and farmers open
• 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., music by Slate Ridge on porch
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., face painting
• 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., microbreweries open for tasting
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., music by Miss Molly on porch
• 1 – 3 p.m., music by Willie Phoenix on the second floor
• 3 – 5 p.m., music by Gipson & Fitz on the second floor
• 5–7 p.m., music by the Shaw Brothers on the second floor

Anderson Orchard   I’ll have pollen-free sunflowers, gladiolus, fig plants, papaya plants, tomatoes and zinnias.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have naturally grown beans, candy onions, heirloom tomatoes (incluing the excellent, low acid Aunt Sarah variety), peppers and zucchini.

Bridgman Farm I’ll have delicious cherry tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, onions, peppers and squash.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and radishes.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have black locust honey and summer and fall honey stix.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing basil, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers,  Malabar spinach, okra, onions, hot and sweet peppers and squash.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be out this week, but we’ll be back on August 20th!

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, blueberry and strawberry drinkable yogurt and soft serve vanilla ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, greens, okra, onions, peppers, radishes, tomatoes, zucchini and green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We plan to bring blackberries, heirloom tomatoes, popcorn, potatoes, granola, pancake mix, honey, whole wheat flour,  farm fresh eggs, cornmeal and maybe some pears.

Rhoads Farm Market We’ll be bringing CANTALOUPE!, blackberries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, watermelon, zucchini and peppers. You are invited to visit www.rhoadsfarminc.com and place any advance orders.

Rock Dove Farm  We should have herbs, radishes and salad.

Shady Brook Farm We will have cantaloupe, tomatoes, watermelons and baked goods.

Somerset Greenhouse  I will have fresh herbs including basil, cherry tomato mix, heirloom tomatoes, three types of cucumbers, rockin’ garlic, zucchini and other squash. 

Summer Thyme Farm  This Saturday we will be bringing a selection of fresh herbs including cut basil, echinacea, succulents, planters and coreopsis.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have peaches, seedless grapes and apples including Gingergold, Tydeman, Red and Paula Red.

Toad Hill Farm   I will have lettuce mix, head lettuce, chard, cucumbers, miniature white cucumbers, patty pan squash, summer squash, zucchini, parsley, basil and five varieties of eggplant.

Toby Run Growers  I’m off this week, but will return on August 20th.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have beets, herbs, onions, peppers and tomatoes.

20th Annual Farmers’ Festival this Saturday!

Saturday Farmers’ Festival activities and attractions include:

• 8 a.m., North Market Merchants & Farmers’ Market open
• 8 a.m., free North Market reusable shopping bags for the first 500 customers
• 9 a.m., amateur jam and jelly contest for North Market customers (ENTRY CLOSED)
• 9 – 11 a.m., musical entertainment by Slate Ridge
• 9:45 a.m., ugly tomato contest
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., face painting by Rita
• 10:30 a.m., cooking demonstration by Peter Chapman of Martini Modern Italian
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., free cut out cookies from Mozart’s Bakery for the kids
• 11 a.m., Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream samples, while supplies last
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., musical entertainment by Gipson & Fitz
• 11:30 a.m., cooking demonstration by Preston Fitch of Due Amici
• 12:30 p.m., “You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to”, Chef contest including Marcus Meacham of Barrio Tapas, Preston Fitch of Due Amici, Peter Chapman of Martini Modern Italian and Jon Deutschle of Marcella’s, Alana Shock from Alana’s Food & Wine and Janel Hedgepeth from the Renaissance Hotel
• 1 – 3 p.m., musical entertainment by One More Time String Band
• 1:30 p.m., cooking demonstration by John Hard of CaJohn’s Flavor & Fire
• 2:30 p.m., cooking demonstration by Marcus Meacham of Barrio Tapas
• 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Musical entertainment by Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folks
 

Ugly Tomato Contest

We all know that homegrown tomatoes are the most delicious, but they are not always the prettiest. In honor of our 20th annual Farmers’ Festival we’re paying tribute this favorite summer fruit with a somewhat wacky competition: the Ugly Tomato Contest!

This Saturday, bring your most deformed, oddly shaped, bug-infested (but not rotten) tomato specimen of any color to the Farmers’ Festival tent at 9:30 a.m. and you will have a shot at a first place prize of $50 in North Market gift certificates or the ignominious glory of second place and $25 in North Market gift certificates. To register email mmartineau@northmarket.com and then start your search for the ugliest tomato you can find! Judging will take place at 9:45. Tomato check-in will begin at 9:30.

Participating farms:

Anderson Orchard   I’ll have the first SUNFLOWERS! Plus, lucifer’s tongue, papaya plants, lilies and mixed bouquets.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have sweet candy onions, tomatoes, green and purple beans, peppers and radishes.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials and hanging baskets.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have black locust honey, beeswax candles, handcrafted soap and bee pollen.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing cucumbers, kale, basil, onions, Malabar spinach, squash and possibly eggplant, peppers and zinnias.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be bringing our family’s Farmstead Gouda. 

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, drinkable yogurt and soft serve ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, greens, onions, radishes, tomatoes, zucchini and maybe green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We will have granola, pancake mix, pastry flour, honey, cornmeal, popcorn and eggs. See you on Saturday.

Rock Dove Farm  We should have broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale and maybe chard and head lettuce.

Rhoads Farm Market  We’ll be bringing red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, zucchini, yellow squash, sweet corn, beets, green onions, kohlrabi and the first green beans aren’t far away.  You are invited to visit www.rhoadsfarminc.com and place any advance orders.

Shady Brook Farm We will have beans, onions, peas, pickles, potatoes, zucchini and baked goods.

Somerset Greenhouse  I will have fresh herbs including BASIL, annuals, perennials, squash and zucchini.

Summer Thyme Farm  This Saturday we will be bringing a selection of fresh herbs (BASIL!) and kitchen herb planters along with succulents.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have blueberries and Lodi apples.

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, three varieties of cucumbers,  lettuce mix, head lettuce and Swiss chard.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have herbs including basil, scallions, lettuce, and maybe turnips.

Food & Ohio Wine Festival Presented by PNC this weekend!

 

The following wineries from around Ohio will offer select wines by the taste ($1.00 to $4.00 each), glass, bottle and case: Brothers’ Drake Meadery, Columbus; Chalet Debonne Vineyard, Madison; Ferrante Winery, Geneva; Firelands Winery, Sandusky; Henke Winery, Cincinnati; Laurello Vineyards, Geneva; Maize Valley Winery, Hartville; Markko Vineyard, Conneaut; Meranda-Nixon Winery, Ripley; Mon Ami Winery, Port Clinton; Raven’s Glenn Winery, West Lafayette; Soine Vineyards, Powell; St. Joseph Vineyards, Thompson; Stoney Ridge Winery, Bryan; Troutman Vineyards, Wooster; The Winery at Versailles, Versailles; The Winery at Wolf Creek, Norton; Valley Vineyards, Morrow; Viking Vineyard, Kent and Wyandotte Winery, Columbus.

Friday, July 8th – Admission $20 (includes souvenir glass, 10 tasting tickets, $5 North Market certificate). Tickets available at the door and online here⇒
Festival Hours, 7–10 p.m.�

Saturday, July 9th – Tasting admission $5 (includes souvenir glass)
Festival Hours, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.   Saturday schedule of activities available online here⇒

Sunday, July 10th – Tasting admission $5 (includes souvenir glass, tasting tickets available for $.50 each)
Festival Hours, 12–6 p.m.  Sunday schedule of activities available here⇒

Many thanks to our North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival Presented by PNC sponsors: PNC Bank, Ohio Grape Industries, Master Clean, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave, Ohio Magazine and YELP.