It’s on the tip of my tongue to say, “be there or be square” but I fear that it would date me too much, so let’s just say that The Common is the place to be this Saturday.  Please adhere to the signs and don’t park on the common, though. – Lil

The Thanksgiving Market, on the Common this Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, will provide a great opportunity to load up on fresh, local ingredients for your Thanksgiving meal and for winter storage. It will also provide a good opportunity to start your gift shopping.

We expect to see an abundance of fall crops, from green veg like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts (line forms behind me) to all manner of root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, celeriac, and of course winter squash. The folks from Pete’s Stand will be joining our veggie vendors for this market.

For something different for your holiday meal, try duck or make coq au vin from heritage breed chickens for flavorful, old time taste. Our meat vendors also expect to offer all manner of beef, pork, chevon, and lamb.

Look for great breads, maple treats, baked goods (weather permitting), jams, relishes, pickles, dilly beans, salsas, and candied maple nuts from a new vendor.

Pleasant St Soaps expects to return after a long absence. Kristie Kinson will also be returning with balsam greens.  Get a jump on cheering up the house with holiday decorations.

The non-profit Cocoa Farmers Future Initiative, a non-profit that helps cocoa growers in Grenada clear and re-establish their hurricane damaged forest gardens, add value to their crops, encourage the next generation of growers, and maintain the island’s biodiversity on which the cocoa crop (and thus my happiness) depends. They’ll be selling spices, chocolate, and spice cakes to raise money.

The Walpole Bits and Bridles 4H Club plans to join us with their annual pie sale fundraiser.

This market is part of a multi-venue Holiday Fête in Walpole. St. John’s Episcopal Church’s “Christmas on the Green” holiday bazaar, and the First Congregational Church’s “Mistletoe Mart” both run during the same hours, at the respective churches. This year The Orchard School’s 18th Annual Craft Fair and Cafe will also be held on the same day, from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the Walpole Town Hall. You’ll find a number of our craft vendors participating in this Fair. All four venues are within an easy walk of each other.

Again – “Be there ….