Tuesdays in downtown Monterey proudly presents Farmer's Market, a hodgepodge of hastily but efficiently
constructed eazy-ups, rickety folding tables, buckets of brightly colored produce, and a cacophony of marginally talented musicians. Thrown in the mix for good measure are peddlers, street hustlers, and the occasional Jesus freak predicting the end of the world. You can follow your nose to the kettle corn, gyros, churros, and, of course, the instant dinner rotating on an spit that opens out of the side of a shiny aluminum paneled truck. Fresh strawberries, grown organically of course, sit alongside an assortment of seasonal berries, twisted yams, leeks the size of your wrist, fragrant garlic and onions, and the ever-present, often confusing world of mushrooms. The next block will bring hand crocheted baby gear, hand woven baskets from Africa, knitted scarves, hats, and mittens. There are tables brimming with mouthwatering desserts - and not just your basic caramel apple. Oh no, these are golden delicious apples, dipped in white chocolate, rolled in honey, smothered with nuts and all promising to be absolutely the best thing you've ever tasted. There are causes with their carefully lettered signs, political hawkers, and even a bookcase with free books for anyone with a penchant to read between the dusty covers of a long-forgotten Stephen King, Victoria Holt, or Martha Stewart tome. There may even be a Dr. Seuss tucked in between the manuals on breast-feeding and how to win people and influence friends.
The people strolling along the closed-off avenue are as varied as the stands they are visiting. There are middle-aged first time mothers with their baby stylishly strapped and wrapped against their breasts and fathers tugging behind them a radio-flyer with the toddler happily playing with the radishes just purchased. You will see the regulars, haggling over the price of fruit, toting their own reusable bags brimming with fresh cut flowers, bundles of lettuce, and three or four perfectly round, perfectly red tomatoes resting on top. The tourists are looking at the local crafters and their overpriced jewelry, stone cups, and jade necklaces.
Weather is not a reason to pack up and go either. The vendors have figured out how to batten down their stands with clever ties, buckets of sand, and a whole host of solutions to the Mary Poppins effect that the wind has on their canopies. Rain is combated with umbrellas and more tarp. Sunshine is always welcome because everyone slows down and enjoys the warmth and the camaraderie of a beautiful afternoon. Summer markets will find everyone out and about until the last tent is taken down. Winter Tuesdays brings out the locals bundled up with their scarves and hats and gloves while the tourists line up to buy one get one free hundred percent cashmere wrap in some god-awful color that your aunt Matilda wouldn't wear.
Farmer's Market in Monterey is truly a sensory adventure for all who wander into downtown Monterey.
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