Hadley Bodell
Sports Editor
The smells of sweet crepes and freshly squeezed lemonade float through the street as locals and visitors stroll through the vendors of the Saturday Farmer’s Market in historic Old Town Pocatello.
The sun is out, and so are the vendors and food trucks on Saturday for the weekly Farmer’s Market. Families, couples, and friend groups stroll through the park, picking through clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts, plants, and food shops. The live music of choice this week is Rob Gregg, a pianist and guitar artist who plays a well-known set list for attendees of the market.
Idaho State University freshmen roommates Bailey Brooks and Jessica Addington are among the marketgoers this weekend.
This was their first time at the weekly event, Addington stating, “I’m so happy we decided to come today. The food is great, the vendors have adorable things, and the vibes here are just good.”
The pair sat at a picnic table to enjoy crepes from one of the food trucks and enjoyed listening to the live music. Brooks added she loved the feeling of the Pocatello community, addressing she recently moved for college and looks forward to more community events like this.
One of the regular vendors at the market is Juniper Jewelry, a business owned and run by John Schwertz and his wife. The pair makes handmade pressed flower necklaces, rings, and earrings from their home in Pocatello. Schwertz explained, “This is our third year having a tent at the Farmer’s Market. It started with an application and one small table of our jewelry.”
Their tent has now expanded to be one of the biggest at the market and sits in a prime location on the street corner.
“We come every weekend, it’s just such a great community,” Schwertz added. When asked what he wants people to know about their brand Juniper Jewelry, he stated, “Everyone can appreciate nature. We make products everyone can relate to, and that everyone likes.” I couldn’t walk away from Schwertz’s tent without purchasing a flower necklace of my own.
Small businesses like Juniper Jewelry make the Pocatello Farmer’s Market special. Local residents can sell their handmade products and interact with their community thanks to the market. In addition to jewelry, other vendors sell their homegrown fruits and vegetables, soaps, clothing, handsewn bags and décor items.
Walking past the tents in the park, you’ll find the food truck corner, where customers can enjoy a variety of meal, drink, and snack options. The live music makes the atmosphere of Old Town lively and positive for visitors.
Each weekend from May 6th to October 28th , Old Town Pocatello hosts the Saturday Farmer’s Market from 9am-1pm. Idaho State University students, Pocatello community members and visitors are all welcome at the weekly market. ISU students even get a discount at some of the food trucks and business vendors.
This Saturday’s market was just one of many throughout the season, but going once can show visitors the inviting atmosphere and incredible community of Pocatello, leaving marketgoers wanting to come again.
