By Mary Gardner-Ruch
The Alfred Farmers Market will host a Renaissance-themed market for the second year. This year the festival takes place earlier in the season to celebrate the summer solstice which kicks off the beginning of summer. The Festival will be held on June 26th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in front of the AU bandstand on the corner of Main Street and Saxon Drive in Alfred.
The market’s vendors provide fresh vegetables, micro greens, local meat, berries, mushrooms, ferments, bread, baked goods, honey, syrups, tinctures, ice cream sandwiches, goat’s milk products, tie-dyed clothing. jewelry, pottery, art, yarn, alpaca products, and plants. In addition to their regular vendors, the market will have fresh local cheese, braided baskets and rugs, handmade paper lampshades, and distilled beverages from Ellicottville Distillery.
Demonstrations will take place. Yasha Lewis of Alfred Station will be whittling and carving wooden spoons. Kristen Beck of Alfred will be forging iron knives, Peggyann Watts of Belfast will be braiding baskets, and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) will provide a demonstration. The SCA is an immersive history group where you, dress in clothing of the period, can experience tournaments, royal courts, feasts, and dancing, and learn how to recreate crafts and skills of the pre-17th century world.
The Volunteer Choir Department will be providing period music as they stroll through the market raising their voices in song. A fairy queen and her court will be present. There will be games, prizes for children, and a craft under the Kids Tent. Stop by the Managers Tent and purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a ceramic butter dish shaped like a cow. The piece was made and donated by Marcia Lichtman of Alfred. The proceeds from the raffle help raise money for music and art at the market.
Dress up if you want to for this fun event and come out for a fun day that takes you back in time. It is a great way to kick off summer in Allegany County.
