06/12/2026
Good evening, Market-goers! I'm excited for tomorrow's line-up and I hope everyone can make it, because it just has a good vibe to it. How could it not, when Marshall Rotary Club will be with us taking on the Volunteer roles and selling ducks for their Duck Pluck!
If the muggy 94% humidity this week didn't destroy the strawberry crop, Emery Food will have some of the delectable juicy treats for you. Get there early, because berries always sell out! They'll go great with Crust & Crumb European-Style Bakery shortcakes, so all you'll need is some whipped cream to conquer dessert this weekend. The trick to a good strawberry shortcake (other than making your own whipped cream rather than relying on koolwhip) is to not overly-mash the berries. Rinse them and take their green hats off, slice them thick into a bowl, sprinkle with enough sugar to get their juices going, then let them sit for about 15 minutes before giving them a gentle mash with a fork. Don't go overboard- the sugar will macerate them on its own and it makes a potent strawberry syrup without much fuss, and you want plenty of chunks in there to retain the flavor. Then spoon (ladle) some (a lot) onto a split-open shortcake, top with the whipped cream and voila! You are a chef! But it all depends on you getting to the Market early enough to get the berries- so long as the crops survived the week. And as the summer heats up, a beverage mixer from Grand Traverse Sauce Company will hit the spot: a big glass of good ice, some fizzy water, mixer stirred in- instant refreshment with less sugar and more satisfaction than even a fountain pop can provide.
We have a new Community Guest booth this week and I am pleased they wanted to rejoin the MAFM community: Mike's Team Active Bikes of Battle Creek will be there with display bikes, bike trail maps, local bike group info, and tools for anyone who rides their bike to Market and needs a little tire check. We are especially pleased to have them this summer as we are trying a new program that rewards people for riding their bikes to Market rather than driving: if you ride to MAFM, come to the red tent in Row 4 to show off your bike and you'll receive a small discount to use at any one Vendor. You can do this every week! So come on, Marshall: strap on your helmets, attach your streamers to the handlebars, and show your bicycle some love!
In addition, it's Art at the Market this week! We have some new Artists this year along with returning favorites. Nimble Hands has some perfectly patriotic pot trivets in her booth, just in time for Flag Day and the upcoming semiquincentennial. Many of our Artists are also participating in Googlie Eye Day...
What's that? Did someone mention googlie eyes? Yep! The Kids' Activity this week is the fan favorite, Googlie Eyes! We have a lot of clues to get through because the Vendors love it just as much as the kids, so drag your parents to Lot 11 early so you'll have lots of time to complete it.
Speaking of hunting for hidden things... We are a participating location with Marshall District Library Dinosaur Discovery Scavenger Hunt! If you are a card collector, you'll have this week, June 20, and June 27 to find the dino hiding somewhere on the property. Though the activity officially ends in July, we are closed on July 4, so you won't have that day to hunt.
We still have Calhoun Senior Activity Bingo sheets available, and a new recipe this week to add to your Market "cookbook." And as always in the summer, we can help you use your SNAP and DUFB benefits on delicious local food. Come see us, won't you? I think it's going to be fun!
Anticipated Vendors for Saturday, June 13 from 8AM-12 NOON at 125 W. Green St, Marshall MI:
Four Guitars Alone, Together- music
Marshall Rotary Club
Mike's Team Active Bikes
Apollo Botanicals
Artisan Baker
Bowser Family Farms
Bristol & Thornbury leatherworks
Burlington Pottery
The Cheese People of Grand Rapids
Ciao Bella Chocolat
CK Farm
Crochet by gingerrrfingersss
Crust & Crumb
Dancing Dogs Bakery
EBMY Farm
Eicher Family Bakery
Emery Foods
FreezeHouse Food Co.
Fluffy Butt Farms MI
Grand Traverse Sauce Co.
Hazel Family Farm
La Guatemalteca Tacos
Little Farmhouse on the Prairie MI
Nicoles Homemade Goodies
Nimble Hands
Northern Crone
Railway Farms
Stitchlings
Sweet Seasons Orchard
The Perennial Connection LLC
Union City Rotary, Union City Michigan Sap Shack
Vicariously Green LLC
Wooden Toys & Boxes
Choose Marshall, Michigan
