Food, fun, fancy footwork at The Forks

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This article was published 08/06/2015 (3953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Adam Hollett and Krista Pearce never knew their two-year-old son, Malachi, had such fine freestyle dance moves.

That is, until he took to the stage at The Forks farmers market.

Malachi, with his two-month-old sister, Quinn, looking on from a nearby stroller, was moved by the music and the mesmerizing drum beats of the Drum Café group performing at the 2015 grand opening of the farmers market.

It will run every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. till September.

“It’s a great place to come as a family because there’s so much to do and see. You can be outside or, if it’s raining off and on like today, you can go inside,” said Hollett.

“We thought about going to the zoo, but we thought we’d save that for a day when it’s not rainy. We didn’t even know the farmers market was on today, so we’re really glad we came.”

The 2015 version of the farmers market has at least 30 local farmers, bakers and crafters displaying and selling their wares.

There’s room to move around and even room to dance to the variety of free musical entertainment.

While the first 75 customers received a free starter plant, there was free face painting and cookies for children.

Kristin Pauls, The Forks’ marketing and communications co-ordinator, said the lineup of vendors will change each Sunday so visitors are encouraged to check the website (theforks.com/attractions/at-the-forks/farmersmarket).

“It was a really great experience (today), lots of people, and overall it was just a fantastic opener, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to start off the season,” Pauls said.

“It was such a warm and sunny day, for the most part, and the intermittent rain freshened things up a bit. People were able to take shelter for the few times we had a downpour and head back out.”

She said the market is a great opportunity for locals and visitors to see and sample locally made and grown produce and products.

“Being able to bring this downtown… is really exciting,” she said.

Eastlyn Carson, a mom and team manager, had in tow her daughter, Tegan, and her Dakota Alliance Soccer Club under-11 girls team from Sioux Falls, S.D.

Eastlyn, along with several other moms, heard from Winnipeg friends that The Forks is “a must-see.”

“We just wanted to get some souvenirs, have some fun and hang out,” Tegan said.

“We are having a great time and just loving the farmers market,” said Eastlyn, noting the team will watch the Women’s World Cup soccer game featuring Team USA and Australia on Monday.

“The girls even danced with the drummers!”

Dancers with Winnipeg’s Manitoba Highland Dancers Association benefitted from the increased traffic at The Forks as they were competing in the Mid Canada Champ/PrePremier Competition at The Forks.

“To be able to showcase Highland dancing and have a greater audience to enjoy the dance is a lot of fun for us,” said Donna Cram, co-chairwoman of the 2016 ScotDance Canada championship series, which will be held in Winnipeg July 6 to 10, 2016.

Pauls said this is the first year The Forks is offering a free “pedicab” (bicycle taxi) service for those who parked a distance away and need assistance to transport their farmers market purchases.

Visitors can sign up for the service at the information booth in The Forks Market.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca