The 15th season of the annual Northbrook Farmers Market launched with 20 booth holders under sunny skies on June 2, at the corner of Cherry Lane and Meadow Road. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the market over the season, which ends on Oct. 11.
Season 15 is special, said Dale Duda, of Northbrook, market founder, market manager and president of the Northbrook Farmers Market Association.
“We’ve become a beloved part of the community now,” Duda said.
Duda was delighted that the Northbrook Farmers Market was recognized by Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla with a village proclamation at the board of trustees meeting June 13.
“We are very proud that the Northbrook Farmers Market is in Northbrook,” Ciesla said at the dais on June 13, before personally presenting the proclamation to Duda.
Ciesla was also present on June 21 with other community leaders for the customary and celebratory watermelon cutting to open the season at 10 a.m. that Wednesday. A large audience turned out for the occasion.
Free watermelon slices were provided again this year, courtesy of Sunset Foods of Northbrook.
“Why shouldn’t you smile today?” said Ron Bernardi of Northbrook Sunset Foods who was on hand to welcome attendees. “It’s a beautiful day, the sun’s shining, it’s cool, the community’s coming out … it’s wonderful.”
A blessing was offered at the market opener by Susan Vaickauski, of Northbrook, of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests, a group that bills itself as an “international movement within the Roman Catholic Church,”
“Every day we should thank God for our blessings, and especially the blessings of the people who work so hard to plant the crops, and harvest the crops, and bring us our food, and bring us together when we share the food,” Vaickauski said.
Customers can expect items for sale including cheese, produce, flowers and baked goods. Duda said food sold at the market must have originated within 150 miles of Northbrook.
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“We take local very serious,” Duda said. “We are a very local market.”
Kathleen Quinn, executive director of Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the opening.
“It’s a great community event, it gets everybody in the community out, meeting everybody,” Quinn said.
“We just love the idea that people are coming into Northbrook.”
Steve Zane, of Northbrook, returned to provide music to his new and old fans alike.
“It’s always just a great celebration, I’m a resident and it’s just fun,” Zane said. “You see a lot of familiar faces.”
Mady Fern, of Northbrook, a market volunteer, welcomed people at the market entrance.
“Some people haven’t ever been here before,” Fern said. “They walk out and I say, ‘Thanks for coming, come next week,’ and they say, ‘I had no idea how wonderful and intimate this market is.’
Ryan Freeman of Woodstock, balloon artist, accommodated patrons with free hand twisted balloons.
Meg McAlarney of Northbrook waited for her family’s turn with children Molly, nearly 2, Maddie, 6, a rising first grader, and James, almost 8, a rising third grader, as well as the McAlarney children’s grandmother Eileen McCarrick, of Northbrook.
“It’s such a beautiful day to kick off the summer,” Meg McAlarney said.
The Northbrook market takes place in the Meadow Plaza parking lot from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Glenview also has a farmers market. The Glenview market opened June 17 and takes place on Saturdays through Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at Historic Wagner Farm (1510 Wagner Road) in Glenview.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.