May 10

May 10 Davidson Local's Guest Column with Kelly Carrick: The excitement of opening day at the Lexington Farmers Market

Columns, Culture, Lexington Farmers Market, Local News

We are happy to announce that Davidson County native Kelly Carrick has agreed to write guest columns for Davidson Local after being persuaded by social media followers. Kelly is one of our favorite volunteers and a new board member for the Lexington Farmers Market. We are excited to have her contributions and look forward to sharing her musings.

I approached the train depot, nestled deep within the side streets that forged Lexington as a former mecca for furniture manufacturing and I couldn't help but be captivated by the scene. The cars were packed in and pedestrians were moving with a sense of purpose. Like determined ants marching on a mission to attend the much-anticipated opening day of the Lexington Farmers Market.

As someone who never learned to parallel park, (don’t judge, I may not be able to efficiently shimmy between vehicles but I can indeed drive a stick). All I could think was maybe this would be one of those times that I would wait patiently until someone exited from a parking space. I then thought, what if I waited and everything I hoped to buy was already gone. My home has been in renovation for months during which I have been graciously hosted by my parents, so there was an entire checklist of things I needed.

As soon as my son and I snagged a spot, I grabbed my basket from the back of the car and walked through the misty rain up the ramp to make my way inside. The sound of laughter and the smell of fresh produce filled the air, reminding me of the countless times I had visited this market with my family. It has become a tradition, a way to connect with our community and support local businesses.

Last Saturday, I was continuing that tradition with my son Calvin.

Calvin, a market regular, made a b-line to our favorite vendors. By the time we finished stacking up the goodies, I sheepishly realized that we made a noticeable dent in their inventory.

It was delightful to see vendors greeting their customers with welcoming smiles. I laughed as I observed one vendor passed out crafted lemonade to a group of children that circled their booth. At one point, I turned to a friend commenting on how packed the market was, recalling that it was just like opening day for baseball, no one wants to miss it.

I looked around the space, this historic depot that had been given such a new lease on life, as customers patiently waited to have their goods of choice packaged. A process would be repeated over and over again, sandwiched in between conversations and hugs with neighbors and friends.

*{Photo: Contributed/Davidson Local}* **Motherland Inspirations was created by Patsy Matthews, a self taught jewelry designer, gardener and craft artist.** **Matthews has been a vendor for numerous years.**

Market-goers bubbled in and out of the space. Excitedly chatting with one another and vendors, they shared recipes and stories, creating a sense of community. Their bags overflowing with locally grown produce and handmade items ranging from vibrant bouquets of flowers, to jars of homemade jam.

The gloominess of the day should have won out and all of these people should have been seeking refuge or at least some Saturday couch time, but the excitement of opening day compelled them to come. After all, the makers and growers had spent endless, exhaustive days to make certain there would be a bounty and that we would stand witness to that work.

The flurry of activity was set to a background of live music with some legit picking and grinning. The plunking sound of the steady rain and the salute of the trains as they passed, made a cumulative soundtrack almost as sweet as the local strawberries. we sadly missed snagging. I’m told by the people who know that strawberries are for the early risers. So, as long as I’m trying to get out the door with the resident 12-year-old, there will likely be no fresh berries to scatter across my yogurt. But it is alright, really it is.

The Lexington Farmer’s Market is a vibrant hub for local produce and handmade goods. Held at the Historic Train Depot in Lexington every Saturday from May 4th through October 12th, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.. It's the perfect opportunity to support local businesses, connect with your community and enjoy a morning of fresh air and free samples. Some vendors will allow pre-orders for those of us who are late risers.