Not even the rainfall that greeted visitors to Esquimalt Farmers Market at its official opening celebration June 18 could dampen the community spirit E-Towners are known for.
Katrina Duwilt, the bustling outdoor market’s cheerful founder, didn’t even complain when she got drenched — twice! — from water pouring off a tent’s roof.
No wonder some market-goers jokingly wondered whether the mother-of-two’s water had broken. She’s nine months pregnant.
“I’m soaking wet, like a drowned rat,” said Duwilt as she and the non-profit society’s team of volunteers tended to customers, vendors and entertainers.
They included five performers with the Otesha Project, a youth-led charitable organization. The girls were on a West Coast cycling tour, using theatre to sing the praises of food security, sustainability and social justice.
“We’ve been talking a lot about how Vancouver Island is in a drought now, so we enjoy having the rain because we don’t have to worry about water consumption so much,” said Lara Hunter.
Despite the light rain, a growing crowd streamed into the market that operates Thursdays from 4:30-7:30 p.m. until Sept. 3 in Esquimalt Town Square.
“I’m a grower. I like to grow stuff and I have too many raspberries,” said Duwilt, who also sells her own canned pickles, when asked what motivated her.
As you approached the sea of tents tucked behind Esquimalt Municipal Hall, it didn’t take long to catch the intoxicating scent of fresh fruits and vegetables, local baked goods and dishes from food trucks such as Little Hanoi and Taco Revolution. Samples of chutney, salsa, caramelized onion mustard and relishes sold in jars labelled “Product of Esquimalt” at Paige Robinson’s Circle Canning booth, added to the aroma.
“Esquimalt is my home. I live and work here,” said Robinson, who ran Camille’s Restaurant for 25 years with her husband David Mincey, and now sources local fruits and vegetables for their canning kitchen.
Cowichan-based Green Fire Farm owner DeLisa Lewis said she came to Esquimalt market for a specific reason.
“This is also our first year as a farm in the Cowichan Valley, so we want to grow with the market.”
At the Esquimalt Neighbourhood Urban Farmers booth, Marie Fidoe said it was the ideal location for the neighborhood co-operative.
“It’s for any of us who garden in Esquimalt,” she said, showing off herb pots from the Esquimalt Garden Club. “If we have leftovers we just come and put them in the booth.”
Seedlings for fall vegetables, perennials, bales of hay and a small-scale garden designer’s products are typical items, she said.
Meanwhile, sommelier Ron Bogdonov offered samples of Averill Creek Vineyards’ handcrafted wines.
“Esquimalt’s a great place to do this,” said Bogdonov as Mosaic Jazz, a band featuring Victoria Conservatory of Music students played I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good.
“I’m meeting all kinds of people who haven’t tried our wine before.”
Laughter could often be heard at Cobble Hill’s Taste of Germany kiosk as jovial baker Marianne Goessl and her husband Joerg served up German pastries, cakes, strudel and cookies.
“This is one of the best markets actually,” said Joerg, noting it’s the only one they do beside Duncan and Cedar. “The people here seem really open to new things.”
While E-Towner Graham Dempster’s wife Rachelle and their twin daughters were busy making felt vegetables at the Makhouse, he said they’ve often visited the market since its soft opening May 21.
“We like to get cheese, and you’ve got to get doughnuts and fresh veggies,” he said. “And there’s music and it’s fun for the kids. What’s not to love?”
