The Farmers Market at IX: Where Creativity and Coin Collide

Tucked between murals and sculptures, stalls were scattered throughout IX art park for the farmer’s market on Dec. 5. People crowded amongst the art and tents perusing the merchandise all morning. The Farmers Market at IX is an event on Thursdays 4-8 p.m. and on  Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Many stalls showed off a variety of products on Dec. 5. Local farms like Soul Soleil Farm, Agriberry Farm, and Free Union Grass Farm, had vegetables, mushrooms, and other fresh produce to put on the table. An assortment of art stalls like Lena’s Craft Corner, Maggie’s Pottery, Bellavance Ink, and Crescent Moon Confections had jewelry, pottery, and other vibrant arts. There were also food trucks supplying lunch for all and baked goods to snack on.    

One delectable stand was Odyssey Chocolate. It is a local Charlottesville business that takes cacao beans from all over the place and turns them into chocolate. “We sorted the beans from all over the world,” said the person managing the booth. She gave out samples of Ugandan, Venezuelan, Bolivian, and Colombian chocolate bar blends. All chocolate bars were $11.50, except for their wine infused bars, and if someone bought three chocolate bars, it was $30 instead. The booth manager said the chocolate is also available in Rebecca’s Natural Foods and other local places along with being found online on their website https://www.odysseychocolate.com. 

The art stalls also drew people’s attention. People gazed at Lena’s Craft Corner, a floral and pineapple themed stand bursting with bright colors. Lena makes flowers, hair clips, and many other lively products out of Duct Tape. She had pens with flowers on the end, each petal curled around the next, and sunny pineapple earrings. Lena said, “I will be here next week and the week after.” People can check her out on Instagram @lenas_craft_corner to see her products and keep up with where she will be.

The farmer’s market was active. A lot of dogs looked around curiously and investigated all the smells as their owners perused. Kids peered about themselves as they walked through the crowds with their parents. Music was also heard throughout the market as a man played his violin. Smells and sounds wafted around the farmer’s market.

All of IX had a spirited atmosphere as the soft music played and people talked as they passed paintings of birds, sculptures of squids, and stands of food alike. Come by IX on Thursdays and Saturdays to experience the market.