Like clockwork, Greg and I head to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market most every Saturday. A short 20 minute walk from home, the Market is sure to be a bustle of activity and a great people watching venue. A caveat in our routine - we usually show up at the Market with five minutes until close. As a result, many booths are already packed up and few vegetable vendors have stock remaining. This weekend we made a pact to arrive before 2:55 to have a fulsome opportunity to check out the wares.
The first thing we noticed is the seasonal variation of the Market. Of course we knew the ripe orange peppers and yellow tomatoes would be replaced with red potatoes and turnips, but the range of non-fruit and vegetable items has expanded exponentially since the summer/early fall version of the Market. Yesterday we found a yummy white bean soup, adorable children's plush toys, jellies and jams, and raw chocolate. We considered buying a mounted graphic photo of the Garneau Theatre. We took time to indulge in an Edmonton special - green onion cakes. Yummy!
The Market is a great opportunity to see the work of our fellow city-dwellers. You can find crystals, homemade teas, hand-carved salad spoons, magazines covering the Edmonton art scene, buskers, locally designed clothing and purses, delicious baked goods and spicy sausage. Your eyes will be tempted by jade plants for sale. Your nose will be tempted by perogies and a range of cheeses. You can purchase hand-painted wine glasses, cloth flowers, house numbers, fudge and woolen mittens. The Market is a cornucopia of delights. 
I cannot think of a more relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a windy Saturday afternoon in Edmonton. The bonus - once you've milled about the Market there's a whole host of shops to poke in along the strip before heading back to Garneau.
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