h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In Missoula, Montana, the Saturday morning farmer's market is one of the social events of the week. From bread to cut flowers, trees to organic vegetables, the market just gets bigger every year. A great many families participate, on both sides of the tables. Grandparents, parents, and children. Sometimes there's a face-painter, or a balloon artist, or a juggler. My daughter learned to love fresh baby carrots early on, and one of the highlights of the market is making a stop for a bunch or two first thing. She munches contentedly, while I fill her little red wagon with fresh herbs, petunias, and a loaf of cibiatta made with wild yeast. It is a feast for your eyes. You run into people you haven't seen all winter, or even folks who've moved away and are visiting. There are fresh-baked pastries and coffee available, and many people make a morning of it.
Unfortunately, by about 10:30 in the morning, it is so packed you can't get thru, the line for a latte is a mile long, and all the good veggies are gone. My recommendation? Go early, and have fun!

Right down the street is the people's market. All sorts of artwork, from the practical to the fantastic, is on display (including one woman's photographs of the aforementioned farmers' market!). A bit looser, a little more expensive, and occasionally a bit more, well, *colorful*, the people's market is where you can pick up a basket for shopping, a xylaphone made from a fruit crate and some copper tubing, and a 15 minute massage all at the same time.

When I move, the thing I will miss most about summertime in Missoula is the farmer's market.