October the month of the Pumpkin

We are officially into the month of October, which means one major thing for farmers markets. Pumpkins. Yes, there are squash, sweet potatoes and apples - but pumpkins are what make October well, October. With only a little over two weeks left until Halloween, this is prime time to pick up your favorite pumpkin. Whether it be shaped perfectly or the most unusual one you've ever seen, now is the time to do it.

As Halloween draws near, we ask a favor of you. Share with us your favorite pumpkin recipe. You can reply to this blog post or share it on our Facebook page. 

So I lied - we actually ask two favors of you. The second being - share photos of your best (or worst) pumpkin carving. It can be from last year or this year. All we ask is that they remain appropriate for all audiences.

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays and we can't wait to see the joy that it brings to your lives. See you at the market this Thursday!

Every Day Should be Kids' Day

Last week was Kid's Day at the Waterloo Farmer's Market in the Park.

 

 

There was face painting ...

 

 

Balloon twisting ...

 

A fun (and very healthy!) kids' cooking class ... with kids turning zucchinis into noodles and dipping it into delicious sauces ...

Even the men in blue came with their police car, ambulance, and firetrucks for the kids to see!

 

And, as is the case every week, at the market, Waterloo's locally famous antique carousel was open for kids of all ages!

 

And, then, again, let's never forget the delicious and very healthy food at the farmer's market

Sweet corn!  Aaaah, summer is in full bloom!

 

THIS WEEK:

 

This week is Chamber and Non-profit Day - all chamber businesses and non-profits are invited to set up a booth and display, sell, demonstrate and meet with the public at the market. The Waterloo Farmer's Market in the Park is held every Thursday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Waterloo Firemen's Park. 

 

See you at the market!

And the Winner is...

Were you making drum roll noises in your head just now? It's OK, we won't tell.

Last week was the Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese 2nd annual recipe contest. 12 finalists from across much of Wisconsin and even the Midwest (yes, they had entrants from Minnesota, Illinois and even Colorado) - came to the market for the final competition. Fortunately for us attending the market, we got to taste test all of the dishes after they were judged.

Since we were so busy with the contest, we didn't get any market photos, but those will be back next week. For a full listing of the recipe entrants and their recipes, with photos, click here.

This Thursday is Kid's Day at the Market - you know, it's almost time for that "s" word to start (school!), but let's forget about that right now and enjoy kids day! We'll have a police car, an ambulance and a firetruck for the kids to see, face painting, balloon twisting fun, and even a really fun cooking class for the kids at 5:00.

Also, John, our popcorn vendor, will be back with more corn on the cob. Our brat of the week, besides Glenn's delicious Sheboygan brats, will be the fiesta brat - a brat that includes onions, cheese, and red and green peppers inside - yum!!

Kids - young and old - don't miss the fun.

You're So Corny

Last week, our popcorn vendor, John, brought his corn steamer and we all ate delicious corn on the cob!

We told corny jokes

 We ate more corn...

And more corn ...

 And more - we just couldn't stop eating corn!

Held every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the beautiful Waterloo Firemen's Park. Life is good in Wisconsin and life is DEFINITELY good at the Waterloo Farmer's Market! 

Today:

It's the long-awaited Crave Brother's Recipe Contest! Home cooks and bakers have entered their recipes for the ultimate cheese showdown. Twelve recipes were chosen and will compete today for Best Crave Cheese Cook of the year and some great prizes. Stop by the market between 5 and 6:00pm to watch them compete. Hungry? After the competition, you will have a chance to try the tasty dishes (the best part). 






See you at the market!

Kids - Start Your Carrots!

Last week was our 2nd Annual Zucchini 500 Race. The kids cut up veggies and made cars out of them. They made wheels, body parts, and little guys driving their cars out of tomatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, carrots, and cucumbers!

Then, it was time for the big race!

 

And, they're off!

 

 

Great job racers!  NASCAR would be proud!

...And, of course, let's not forget where the veggies come from:

 

 

This Thursday is an old-fashioned corn boil. John, our popcorn vendor, will be bringing his famous corn steamer and will be selling corn on the cob - don't miss it!  The Waterloo Farmer's Market is held every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the beautiful Waterloo Firemen's Park.

 

See you at the market!

Let the Zucchini Races Begin!

IT'S THE 2ND ANNUAL ZUCCHINI 500 RACE!

 

 

It's a bird ... it's a plane ... no, it's a zucchini car??  Yes, a car made out of a zucchini!  Kids, young and old - come on out for our 2nd annual Zucchini 500 Race at the Waterloo Farmer's Market!  Last year was a blast and this year will be even better!

 

For just two bucks, kids can select a zucchini, carrot wheels, various fruits and veggies, toothpick axles, and stickers or paint to decorate their cars. Then, race them down our Pinewood Derby-style 18 ft. racetrack! 

 

We'll have prizes for fastest car, most creative, most nutritious, and much more!  Car making begins at 4 p.m. and the Big Race starts at 5:00! 

 

Don't miss the fast and fun race of the veggiemobiles!

 

And, of course, don't forget to shop the market for all of your favorite homegrown fresh fruits and vegetables. 

 

See you at the market!!

Good O' Fashion Fun

Last week's event of the week was "Back in Time With Kids"

There was ...

Ice cream making ...

butter shaking... 

And ...

Lemon squeezing for old-fashioned lemonade making

Then, there was the eating ...

Love that homeade ice cream!

And all that butter shaking was worth it now that it's time to eat it on cheddar biscuits!

And, then there was the farmers market ...

And, don't forget to stop and smell the cauliflower!

See you this Thursday at the market! Don't forget the Carousel is running during the market from 5 to 6 p.m., so bring the kids!

We've Got the Beet

We're full of beans!

Last week at the Waterloo Farmer's Market in the Park, we held our 1st Annual Farmer's Market Cooking Challenge Contest. We had:

A luscious carrot cake ~

 A spectacular patriotic strawberry cheesecake ~

And, a spinach flower pizza (Pizza Fiorentina) ~

Other food items included blueberry almond bars, lasagna, onion pie, breads, nachos and onion pie ~

Beth Crave of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese was our lovely judge ~

Thanks Beth!

Our Grand Champion winner went to ... (drum roll please)

Mary Harter with her delectable carrot cake in the dessert category. Congratulations to Mary! She won a beautiful purple ribbon and a $25 cash prize.

Reserve champion went to Linda Whitley in the bread category with her tomato basil bread with marscapone cheese!  Linda also wins a pretty ribbon and a $20 cash prize. 

Thank you to all of the contestants who participated and to all of the bidders who bid on the food items after the contest.  Half of the auction proceeds went to the cooks and the other half went to the Carousel fund.  A big thank you, also, to John Spies for doing a wonderful job auctioneering for us!

Even John, the popcorn guy, got in on the action by entering his infamous kettle corn into the Appetizer category.  (He knows how much Beth loves his popcorn!)  You can see how proud he is of his 1st place blue ribbon. Congratulations John!

 HEY -- BIG NEWS!

THE CAROUSEL IS OPEN!

The carousel will be open every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. during the farmer's market, so bring the kids down for fresh, local food and fun!

And, speaking of kids and fun ...

This week at the market:

It's "Back in Time With Kids."  This week at 4 p.m. kids can come down to the market and learn how to make homeade ice cream, lemonade, and butter to put on biscuits.  Kids, don't miss the fun and the educational experience. You will really feel like you're back in time!

Next week at the market: 

It's Chefs at the Market Week - we will have local chefs demonstrate and prepare a delicious dinner for two at the market. Come, watch, and learn how they do it at 5 p.m. and then bid on the dinner to take home at our silent auction. 

See you at the market -- every Thrusday at the Waterloo Firemen's Park from 3 to 7 p.m.

We've got the beet.