Bloomington Farmer's Market

With an open-air venue, vendors from all around, and no exclusion of age, ethnicity, or gender, the Bloomington Farmer’s Market thrives as a participatory gathering for the community. Everybody is welcome to attend this outdoor market as is evident by the different mothers, fathers, children, students, pets, grandparents, and occasional nomad. Elderly women gathered by their grandchildren or husbands as they carried their basket during an honored tradition. Children ran around with flowers, balloons, or sweet treats in their hand as they danced to the music or stared wide-eyed at the vibrant fruit colors. Students banded together, browsing the jewelry selection and smelling the soaps. The vendors stood by their tents, answering questions or greeting familiar folks. The buyer-seller relationships were more like friendships as people felt a community connection in the friendly and bustling atmosphere. Strangers co-mingled and joined together in their food buying amidst the variety of musical styles. There was no lack of noise and no disconnect between people.

The farmer’s market catered to everybody of all ages. There were drums, solo guitarists, a tap dancer, a blue grass band, young students playing violins, a man playing the banjo beside and elderly man with his trumpet, and two young boys with a bass, guitar, and harmonica. The musicians shared their talent in different musical styles, getting there early in the morning to reserve their spot. The tunes were family friendly without derogatory or crude language.

Produce stands housed tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, watermelon, peaches, and other colorful fresh delights. Plants and flowers were scattered around in stand, gorgeous sunflowers beside the fruit and vegetables. Homemade hams, syrups, beeswax, and fresh meat were also placed around the produce. Baked goods and prepared foods were available nearby. The produce was all fresh and home-grown, and the meats were advertised free-range animals or grass-fed. Toward city hall, there was an area for arts and crafts. Different pottery, jewelry, sculptures, and other projects were being sold. On the other side of city hall were different political booths, local business promotional stands, and an IU theatre booth spreading info to each passersby.

Within the hustle and bustle, general patterns arose. Families tended to stick together as they navigated through the crowd. The mothers were usually buying the food while the fathers held on to their kids and bought products. Many families and students were attracted to the prepared sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee, saving the produce for later. They would usually eat this food around musicians, letting their children dance to the music or listen close by. Families thus gravitated towards the music and fountains to keep their children entertained rather than bringing them toward the political and promotional booths. Elderly people, on the other hand, moved more freely around with their baskets and bags. They are well-seasoned, going to the vendors they liked and have developed relationships with over the years. The elderly as well as middle-aged adults without kids were more apt to hang around the political booths, talking to people running for office or promoting a local business. People walking with their dogs gathered around the outskirts, away from the edible produce, as they waited for their family member to bring back food while they socialized their puppies or lingered by the music. Regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender, everybody found a place in the market setting. It was a friendly and welcoming environment that allowed everybody to participate and take an active role.

In many ways, the farmer’s market is very similar to participatory music. Everybody is welcomed, encouraged to interact, and brought together in a community setting. There was little social disconnect as age, gender, societal status, and other social distinctions mean little in the market setting. Whether buying, selling, dancing, talking, eating, or listening, nobody is excluded. There is minimal hierarchy and no over-looming presence of capitalistic business. While vendors are trying the make a living with their sales, they care more about their passion for their product and the relationships they build with their buyers than making the sale or extra profit. Participatory music and the farmer’s market are both for the experience and communal connection. While people may be doing different things in each (dancer, musicians, clappers, and others in music and buyers, listeners, eaters, sellers, and others at the market), everybody is there to share in the moment and experience as one community.