Grand Junction Farmer's Market

Whose streets? Our streets! 

Every Thursday Night, Grand Junction's Main Street undergoes a magical transformation. The busy downtown street, normally full of cars, shops and cafes becomes an entertaining outdoor market. As if in celebration of public space, people and pets go to and fro amongst the tents  and stands. Palisade peaches, melons, corn, plums, green chile burritos, roasted almonds, field tomatoes, lettuce, flowers, radishes, basil, green beans, beets, apricots, jams & honey, homemade fudge, cantaloupe, squash, zucchini, cucumber, peppers intermingle with jugglers, musicians and local artists along the street. The area's understanding and appreciation for local foods can be clearly seen. "We've got peach pride" claimed the grower at Aleida's stand, "tomato pride too... and melon pride too!" exclaimed his neighbor, another local grower, who loves the market so much he dresses up in colorful shirts and suspenders and sports a straw hat decorated with bright fake flowers! 

Our big green bus added to the festive atmosphere as we parked ourselves in the middle of the street attracting people from all walks of life; from open minded young men working in oil rigs, to nurses wanting to turn the blood mobile to biodiesel, to visitors passing by Grand Junction, to long-time, community oriented residents. The bus was joined by some of these committed residents, including Peggy Rawlings, WCC board member and a group of ladies from the League of Women Voters who handed out mini cloth bags to remind folks to bring a larger version to their shopping. Support for renewable energy was palpable at the market. Interest and support was not only demonstrated by the kind reception that we received by folks visiting the bus, but also in the kind of booths that we found while walking around like  WECAN, student group of the Western Colorado Congress (WCC) and  High Noon Solar, a solar energy business who strides to get solar panels on the roofs of Grand Junction and aims to teach residents what they can do about renewable energy legislation in CO.

The enthusiasm and support the bus received from the street energized the crew to continue taking over streets, fairs and parades here in Colorado as well in upcoming Idaho and Oregon. The crew can also firmly state that Palisade peaches are the best we've ever tasted and we feel lucky to have shared the streets with so many of them!