A Weekend Full Of Farmers Market Activities (Plus Spargelfest)


Heading into another gorgeous spring weekend, this is the time of year where it doesn’t make sense to stay inside for any longer than absolutely necessary. Fortunately, this weekend is absolutely bursting with opportunities to get outside and get in touch with area farms without even leaving the city.

Headhouse Farmer’s Market – After a long hibernation, the Headhouse Farmer’s Market will be returning to the historic Shambles this Sunday from 10:00 to 2:00 to kick off its ninth season there. Delaying the start of the market until the season gets underway means that shoppers will be able to peruse produce, plants, meat, seafood, baked goods, and prepared foods from more than 40 different vendors. Plus, Heart Food Truck, Made in the Shade Lemonade, and Zsa’s Ice Cream will be on hand so you can have breakfast or lunch while you do your shopping.

Spargelfest – Brauhaus Schmitz is sure to be a busy place tomorrow as they host their annual Maifest, a celebration of spring that, naturally, requires much beer drinking along with traditional dancing and even a maypole. For a different spring eating experience, make a reservation for the day after Manifest (or any other day in May) to taste chef Jeremy Nolen’s Spargelfest menu. Spargelfest is a celebration of asparagus and other spring flavors, so you can sidle up to taste dishes like asparagus and ramp soup with sautéed morels, or poached white asparagus with Hollandaise and chives.

Rittenhouse Market Pop-Up – The Rittenhouse Row Festival is tomorrow, which is sure to be fun to stroll, but the festivities are displacing the regular Rittenhouse Farmer’s Market. Instead of relegating the farmers to a day off without pay in the first week of asparagus season, the whole market is popping up instead at Dickinson Square in Pennsport. Sure, folks will complain that Dickinson Square is too far away, but I’d like to assure you that it’s a park well worth the walk. Tall trees offering shade, a playground for your kiddos, and one of the city’s best farmer’s markets for one week only? Grab your reusable bags and your walking shoes and make it happen.

Bryn Mawr Farmer’s Market – Though the Bryn Mawr market continued through the winter on a limited basis, this weekend represents its return to it’s weekly hours, Saturdays from 9:00-1:00, for the growing season. Main Line readers should definitely add this little market to their grocery-shopping orbit, because it is better than ever. Vegetables from newly certified organic Two Gander Farm, Wimers Organic, and Livengood, fruit from Frecon, and lots of breads, cheeses, baked goods, and prepared foods.