EAT FRESH, DRESS WARM >>>

Last night's snow is a good indication that summer loving, or even mild, pleasant weather is officially over. With that, we will be bidding adieu to the weekly Proctor Farmers Market.

Proctor Farmers Market is Tacoma's only four-season market, running every Saturday from March to this Saturday. After Saturday, the Proctor Farmers Market will open the second Saturday of the month in January, February and March.

Why do the vendors brave the wind, the snow, the SUVs screaming down Proctor Street? As L. Lisa Lawrence, Market manager puts it, "We discovered that people like to eat all year round."

The Proctor Farmers Market's mission, "Eat Fresh, Buy Local, Build Community," isn't just about offering a selection of fresh fruits and veggies from the likes of Little Eorthe Farms and Tiny's Organics, nor is it just about nibbles courtesy of Alina's Soups or local favorite Gateway to India. The Market folks wear "Build Community" like a badge. The Proctor Farmers Market proudly provides an outdoor hub for citizens to hug, enjoy music, learn a thing or two, and hug some more.

When asked what some of the highlights were Lawrence, was not at a loss for words.

Lawrence on music: "I loved having Steve Stefanowicz join our roster of wonderful market musicians. One of many musical highlights for me was watching the formation of the bluegrass group The Pine Hearts, which happened at our market. We also hosted our first ever bluegrass event, "MarketGrass," which we plan on bring back bigger and better next year."

Lawrence on nibbles: "We had some great cooking demos with chef Leslie Westphal from Maxwell's Speakeasy and Lounge and chef Aaron Grissom from Dirty Oscar's Annex - as well as a canning demonstration by Chef Betty Ann Curry as part of our Green Day Event."

Lawrence on special events: "Our annual Green Day event was bigger and better than ever, with seminars and demonstrations on urban chicken keeping, worm bin composting, home remodel, solar cooking, electric vehicles and composting toilets. We also hosted our annual Art-A-Thon event that raised money for the FISH Food back to purchase fresh produce from our farmers AND hosted a music stage as part of Proctor Arts Fest."

As for me, my fond memory of the Proctor Farmers Market was nibbling a blackberry blueberry creamsicle from Hilltop Pop Shop on a toasty day backed by the sounds of market chatter and live music.

I say we end this weekly market season with a bang, grab your umbrellas and get your market fix on! That is, if the big bang doesn't hit us Friday.

PROCTOR FARMERS MARKET, SATURDAY, DEC. 22, 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M., NORTH 27TH AND PROCTOR, TACOMA, WEBSITE

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