Special events will mark an important milestone on three consecutive weekends in August as the SLO Saturday Farmers’ Market celebrates 35 years on the Central Coast.
In operation since 1978, the Saturday morning market was one of the first five farmers’ markets in the state of California. That was the year then-Governor Jerry Brown signed the Direct Marketing Act establishing California Certified Farmers’ Markets.
A bounty of cooking and growing demonstrations, wine sales, music, market history displays and giveaways will spice up the celebrations each Saturday morning, Aug. 17, 24 and 31. The Saturday market takes place 8-10:45 a.m. at the Cost Plus World Market/Embassy Suites parking lot.
Special recognition is planned Aug. 31 for participants in the first-ever local market, including Ernie Righetti, now age 96.
Event activities will feature:
Aug. 17 “Community Growers Day”
• Cooking demonstration by José Dahan (Et Voila Restaurant)
• Master Gardener demonstrations: How to grow herbs and vegetables in containers
• Music by Billy Foppiano
Aug. 24 “Surf & Turf”
• Cooking demonstration by Mark Tognazzini (45 years as a commercial fisherman), with Chef Joel Lopez (Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant)
• Gardening demonstration by Joe and Jill Sabol: How to grow spectacular dahlias in containers
• Cuesta Jazz Combo
Aug. 31 “Wine & Dine”
• Kathy Marcks Hardesty (New Times cuisine columnist) will be commentator to the cooking demonstration by Robert Trester (Gardens of Avila Restaurant)
• Strawberry shortcakes to the first 500 guests
• Salute to farmers and several shoppers who participated in the first Saturday morning farmers’ market, summer of 1978
• Brazilian Choro music
• Wine tasting from local wineries
For more information and details, contact Peter Jankay, (805) 544-9570.