The Valley is full of some incredible farmers markets; however, summer isn’t high time for them…until now. Today marks the beginning of the Twilight Farmers Market, the Valley’s only evening farmers market. The Twilight Farmers Market will take place from 6-9 p.m. at Glendale’s Citadelle Plaza, located on 59th Avenue, two blocks south of the 101 Loop. The family- and pet-friendly shopping and dining experience will be a celebration of Arizona’s summer bounty. Glendale Vice-Mayor Manny Martinez is scheduled to ring the opening market bell at 6 p.m., followed by a live performance from the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad and musical entertainment from the award-winning Mountain Ridge High School Sax Choir. The special nighttime farmers market will take place each Wednesday evening through July 29th.
If you’re concerned about the heat, a special cooling system will keep the plaza comfortable as shoppers seek out delicious and unique food finds from more than two dozen Arizona farmers and food artisans. Here’s just a sampling of the Twilight Farmers Market selections:
· Organic fruits and vegetables
· Fresh herbs and flowers
· Heirloom tomatoes and peppers
· Free-range eggs
· Grass-fed beef
· Locally farmed seafood
· Artisan breads, pastries, fruit tarts and cookies
· Specialty tamales and locally produced salsas
· Jams, jellies, sauces, dips and gourmet apple butter
· Vegan products
· Homemade ice cream
· Gourmet pet treats
And, luckily, you won’t be left hanging after purchasing these home-grown goodies. Figuring out what to do with all of the market ingredients will be a breeze after weekly “Chef Showdowns” between Citadelle Plaza chefs from Tutti Santi Italian Restaurant and Corbin’s Bar & Grill. These culinary experts take on the challenge of transforming selected farmers market items into delicious, easy-to-make dishes for shoppers to sample or recreate at home using the showdown recipes posted on Citadelle Plaza’s Web site, http://www.citadelleplaza.com/.
Parents can shop at leisure while kids choose to take a cooking class led by “Cooking with Chef Morgan: It’s Kid’s Play” or get physical in a special Market Night organized play class from 6-7 p.m. at BUSY BODIES Planned Play. Shoppers will carry their culinary treasures home in a recyclable Citadelle Plaza signature tote bag free with first purchase. Market shoppers will also have a chance to win a Citadelle Plaza shopping spree. Twilight Farmers Market is co-sponsored by the Citadelle Plaza and Arizona Community Farmers Market, a green-roots organization that supports local growers, producers and cottage food industries in the State of Arizona.
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Wow this is so cool! What a great way to still have a good farmer’s market in the summer but not die of heat exhaustion.
What a neat twist to doing a farmers market.
Very neat. My sister is Vegan, so she would probably love something like this.
that is actually really cool!
What a unique idea. I have friends who went and said there was so much going that they are planning to go every week.
I’ve been every week and there is always some new and fresh. The produce is great and it’s fun to see what live entertainemnt they have lined up each week. The best part? Free valet parking! Who wants to lug a bag of veggies and fruit in search of your car. I’m loving and wish it wouldn’t end after July.
Back by popular demand……The Twilight Farmers Market starts back up for their fall-winter-spring series, running every WEDNESDAY, from 4-7 PM. Already 40 of the best local vendors, vegan bakers and others have signed on for this market! See you there this Wednesday!