Kingston's newest Market Grand opening

Grand opening with a carnival atmosphere
By Philippe Blais Fox, Rural affairs correspondent:
(Video from event available on the author's blog page or click here for the photo gallery.)

For the past months, a group of dedicated people have been working together to bring a community driven market in Kingston's north end. Their efforts bore fruit last Sunday.

Kingston's newest market was launched last Sunday with a good turnout. The Community Harvest Market, located in the city's north end, at the Wally Elmer Neighborhood Centre attracted people from the surrounding areas and from all over the city.

Despite the undecided weather, there was a community fair atmosphere to the first day of this weekly event. There were eight exhibitors and vendors; the musical talents of Sheesham and Lotus; and a balloon magician who called himself a “ballonologist”. Some local children played to the crowd as they danced a Do-Si-Do. The Lyons club brought hot dogs and hamburgers which added to the already festive atmosphere.

The official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by Mayor Harvey Rosen and Sister Pauline Lally of the Sisters of Providence of the Saint Vincent de Paul. In her opening speech, sister Lally said: “Today is the feast of Pentacost... Pentacost is about new beginnings, and so this is like a new begining, a new life in the north end [of Kingston]”

Cataraqui District Councilor, Sara Meers thanked everyone who participated in putting together the event and organizing the market: “-- I'm sure all the residents in the area are looking forward to making this a regular event.”

Vendors at the market had asparagus, rhubarb, honey and plant seedlings for sale. Mayor Rosen offered: “As the season develops, I am sure we'll see onions and beans, potatoes and all sorts of wonderful produce.” Dan Rickards gave assurances that there will be much more to come in the next few weeks: “I have some unique vegetables as well as most of the traditional staples growing as we speak.”

In a telephone interview, the market administrator Tara Kainer said that there will be children's activities and more vendors as the season advances. She was pleased with the initial outcome but she hopes that the weather will be more favorable in the upcoming weeks.

Many other district councillors had voiced the desire to have their own community farmers' market in their district, but as Mayor Rosen explained: “We have to see how the pilot projects go before we decide to roll it out more broadly. Hopefully, this will go well and we can see more of these around the city over the next few years... We're looking forward to seeing that happen.”

The organizers, vendors, the community partners such as the Sisters of Providence, Loving Spoonful, the Kingston Community Credit Union and the City of Kingston and other partners should be proud of what they have accomplished. The Community Harvest Market will continue to be held at the Elmer Neighbourhood Centre every Sunday between 10am and 2pm, from now through to October.

Contributions to this article by Shaun Courtney
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