A new season begins!

James Bay Market Society

By Jessica Duncan

As the long, wet, winter months drift into the recesses of our memories, we are soon to be rewarded for our patience while awaiting all things summery. The first tastes of new growth and spring greens will, once again, be available for your consumption at the James Bay Market on Saturday May 4. After months of dreariness, the vacant lot on the corner of Menzies and Superior will be transformed into a veritable fairground (minus the rides and clowns) each Saturday from May through October. As well as fresh produce, you will find preserves, baked goods galore, handmade crafts, hot meals and live entertainment.

The "shop local" movement is growing exponentially and the James Bay Market Society is here to help you join in the fun. Whether you have happened upon the market accidentally and decided to buy a home baked snack or perhaps a knitted hat, or you are a die-hard regular who makes shopping at James Bay Market your Saturday ritual, you will have felt the buzz that comes from handing your cash over to a genuine human being rather than a corporation. It is a wonderful feeling buying food or crafts from the person who produced them. You know you are getting top-quality items and you are helping to support people just like yourself. Money spent at a farmers' market is always money well-spent.

For the better part of twenty years, volunteers, farmers, food producers, crafts people and entertainers have come together in James Bay to create a lively and abundant market place, and this year promises to offer up another great market season. When you drop by the corner of Menzies and Superior on any Saturday, May through October, you will be sure to find many of your favourite vendors as well as some new ones selling their handmade, homemade or homegrown products. While perusing the stalls and chatting with the vendors, you will also be treated to some excellent music. Victoria is home to some of the nation's finest musicians, many of whom will grace the stage at James Bay Market this summer. What could be better on a beautiful Victoria summer's day than to grab a bite to eat from one of the food stands and enjoy a free outdoor concert?

If you are one of those people who have been thinking about reducing your trips to the supermarket and buying more locally produced food, May 5 is a good time to start this new habit. Grab your re-usable bags and follow the strains of live music and the scent of hot food to the James Bay Market. Open 9am-3pm every Saturday, rain or shine. There is plenty of parking, and easy access for strollers and walkers.