Photos by Marie Mccolm The Monte Vista Farmer’s Market was in full swing on Friday in the parking lot of the Fassett Building. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday in Monte Vista.

MONTE VISTA — It was breezy with plenty of sun midmorning on Friday with the Monte Vista Farmer’s Market in full swing and a crowd of about 15 people in the parking lot of the Fassett Building where the market is located. 

The market is on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from July 8 through Sept. 16. The market features local fresh food vendors and arts and crafts vendors. 

Palisade peaches, apricots, and cherries were available at one booth. “Linda’s Chili Connection” had ground Chile powder and multiple chili packaged items for sale.

There was a colorful vendor booth set up with some homemade tie-dye shirts and clothing for sale.

The Moki Food Truck was also on site with lots of hot goodies to sell.

There was also a vendor with farm-fresh eggs for sale, along with the Jessie May Olson Memorial Garden booth, and a booth with homemade beaded jewelry.

Market Manager Chelsea McNerney-Martinez was at the market and was happy with the turnout.

“We have seen a good crowd this morning and lots of people are buying. It’s a good day for the Farmer’s Market,” she said.

McNerney-Martinez was also giving out free flower seed packets, brochures that promote healthy foods, and coupons for the Farmer’s Market. 

Linda Hatfield of “Linda’s Chili Connection” was also pleased with the turnout.

“Quite a few people have bought from me. I get all my chili from New Mexico. Great place to sell,” she said.

The Jessie May Olson Memorial Community Garden sells locally grown plants and was manned by Wanda Hawman. The Garden gives children and their parents the chance to garden together. The garden is a tribute to Hawman’s aunt, a well-known and loved resident of the San Luis Valley. Hawman said the turnout was excellent.

“We have sold basically everything that we have here, the crowd here has been really great. We are still gardening and allowing parents and their children to garden together,” she said.

Monte Vista resident Grace Martinez was at the Farmer’s Market purchasing peaches and cherries. Martinez also visited the Moki Food Truck for breakfast. Martinez was all smiles.

“I come to the Farmer’s Market when it’s here,” she said. “I like the food, and the goat’s milk soap products are good, too. I think purchasing items that are home grown and that are homemade is old-fashioned and I prefer that. These days a lot of people order everything off the internet, more people should buy from people who make homemade stuff. The prices aren’t bad, and I really like this little market. I wish they were out here for more of the year.” 

For more information on the Monte Vista Farmer’s Market, visit its Facebook page.