Saturday Market #6: Our Mothers Day Traditions

Saturday Market is an innovative place. Every week new products, new vendors, new visitors... But it's also a place of traditions and Mothers Day brings some of those around. First off there's finding something for Mom. I was on one of my very brief photo forays and these quilt and button hearts caught my eye. So I took the shot and was just about to wander on when the little voice in my head said "Mom would love that!" and so I bought it. And Little Voice was right, she does love it.
It's also our tradition to give stuff away, pretty much like door prizes, except we have no door. Vendors give me stuff, really nice stuff, like jewelry, including a gorgeous silver and set stone pendant from Greg and Mary Kuhnle, and a stained glass kaleidoscope with pressed flowers to view from Larry Pagen, and pottery and clothing and soaps and the list goes on and on, fifty or so artisans giving me seventy five gifts to distribute. Every time I stepped away from the stage, somebody would hand me stuff. That is just so cool. And every hour we drew names out of the basket and gave stuff away. This time I had help one time from my son Victor, and another time from my Mom, Maron. Fortunately she didn't notice the quilt heart laying right there on top of the sound board, phew! As always, a splendid time was had by all, especially those folks who got to pick a goodie from the choices I laid out on the steps in front of the stage.

Another fine tradition, getting out a week before and finding a mother artisan whose child is also on site to photograph for my ads. This time out I found Karen Nunley and Sierra Nunley-Gross. Bonus points for them both being Market Vendors in their own rights! Karen has just started with her Holy Donuts, and Sierra has been selling her Oh, Snap! handbags, wallets and other accessories for a couple of years. Dad Jimmy Manigrossi also sells his pet tags in the booth, but didn't make it into the photo this time around. I love how the handbag matches the donuts! And the smiles of course...

The day always wraps up with a set by marimba band Kudana. I can't even remember when we started doing it this way, but it sure feels just right. I bet Kudana has been around the longest of all Eugene's many marimba bands, and their multi-generational merry band always brings joy to the Park Blocks. We actually haven't had a lot of luck with the marimba band/sunny days thing this year, but it didn't really rain and the sun very nearly broke through the clouds a couple of times. I picked this particular shot of them because I love the sentiment expressed on Kayte's hoodie "Make Life Iller." Yeah, let's keep doing that!
Looks like a hot one coming at us this weekend, 80+ degrees?! Better go start on the sunscreen right now...















