Charlotte Farmers Market

There are a number of private farmers markets all around Charlotte, but the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market off Yorkmont Road (near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport) is pretty centrally located no mater where you live in the area. This particular market is run by the NC Agricultural Department and is one of the largest ones in town.

Though farmers markets are well known for the organic quality, freshness and variety not offered by most supermarkets--most people seem to think that they are also expensive. This is absolutely not the case at the Charlotte Market. Last week I purchased a red pepper for just 99 cents, and huge bag of mushrooms for $1 and Chinese eggplant for just $1.50. This is way cheaper than any other market in the area, and way beneath the prices at the supermarket. There's also unusual variety of stuff that you won't find at your corner Food Lion.

Now, not everything at this market is locally grown. You will undoubtedly spot vendors selling fruits and veggies straight out of boxes that clearly show the product was not grown by them, but was purchased. For example, a vendor selling oranges will clearly not have gotten them from the Carolinas--but straight from Florida. Or apples may be boxed from New York. I'm perfectly okay with this arrangement since I'm getting it for a super reasonable price. But much of what is for sale is still locally grown by the sellers themselves.

This farmers market is huge (during seasonal months) and operates year round (and not just on the weekends). Much of it is also indoors and under roofed buildings, so its a tad more pleasant to escape the hot summer sun. In the winter there may not be as many vendors as during the warmer months, but the few that are there are still selling everything and anything you would need. In the spring and summer, many vendors sell local fresh cut flowers of amazing variety and for excellent prices. But be warned, if you are allergy prone--you will be overwhelmed by the odor and pollen count in these stalls so keep away from them.

Once spring hits, the number of vendors and variety of what they sell increases dramatically. You will spot local cheesemakers, folks selling unusual cuts of beef such as ostrich and occasionally someone selling gorgeous fish out of the back of his truck. Local honey is relatively inexpensive, as are interesting homemade natural soaps and organic baked goods. There are also vendors selling crafts and other decorative items, too. In the summer months, food vendors join the bandwagon on the weekends, so you can have a hotdog while perusing the stands of goods.

Though it might not have the charm of your small, neighborhood farmers market if you are so lucky to have one--I would bet you will find that this one is cheaper than most and perhaps a tad more convenient. It also makes for a interesting weekend jaunt with the family.

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is located at 1801 Yorkmont Road and is easily accessible from South Tryon Street, Tyvola Road, I-77, and I-85. For more information call (704) 357-1269.

Festivals, Fairs and Other Annual Events

There's quite a few annual outdoor events in Charlotte that are totally worthwhile, especially if you've got kids.

This past weekend was the Matthews Alive Fair that runs all Labor Day weekend. You've got your usual greasy fair foods sold out of big trucks to chow on such as huge roasted turkey legs, gyros, funnel cakes and corn dogs. The Matthews fair is arts and crafts centered, so there's heaps of locals hawking their homemade wares on tables scattered all over the place. I went on Sunday, and I have to say its lots its luster from a few years ago. The items for sale are rather cheesy and repetitive from table to table for the most part. The carnival rides also seemed to be fewer than past years as well, and the ticket-takers seemed to be barking at the kids to get off the inflatables a bit to soon for my 4-year old's taste. He got so peeved at the lines at one ride that he basically gave me my ticket back and wanted to move on. [Warning: Parking is an absolute nightmare here, as there are no lots--its all street parking. Be prepared to walk far from wherever you dump you car if you don't arrive when the fair starts].

Also running all week is the Cabarrus County Fair which has rides, but also lots of farming and animal events such as prizes for best goat, mule and cow. There's also rides and your usual fairground foods, too. Iredell County is also running theirs as well this week.

The weekend of September 20th bring Festival in the Park which is close to uptown at Freedom Park. This is a great event as the park is quite large and has a pretty lake at its center. I happen to really like this festival and am looking forward to its return this year. Parking isn't stupendous, but there is parking on the grass if you arrive early. You go through a tree-canopied walk-way most of the way, so its pleasant in the shade. There are lots of vendors here selling all types of stuff, but its better than what you find at the Matthews Alive event and with more variety. The event meanders around the park, and it doesn't leave you feeling cramped for space such as in street fairs.

Our favorite is the Renaissance Festival that begins in early October and runs about 6 weeks. This quaint medieval "village" sports unique buildings with wonderful little shops that boast interesting things to purchase. You can buy your kid a neat wooden sword for $10 bucks or you can purchase a pair of buttery leather boots for $600. There's something and a price-point for everyone. The festival staff are all wearing traditional garb that would have been seen during medieval times such as felt hats with a fancy plume and tight corsets that cinch up abundant bosoms.

The employees are a lively bunch and put on their best British accents while they joke and bark in a Shakespearean manner. There are lots of undertone remarks that you need to be on your toes to grasp, so pay attention as they could be making fun of you! (In a good natured way, of course). Heck, even many of the visitors get in on the act and dress up too.
There's lots of interesting stage shows happening such as music and dance traditional of that time, and even jousting which is done with quite fanfare. As the season wears on, they have special themes such as for Halloween where the place is shrouded in special scariness. The New Yorker in me expected it all to be totally lame, but I'm looking forward to it this year again. Please don't miss this one, its worth the drive.

In the winter, you'll hear about Christmas Town--also known as McAddenville. This tiny town just north of the airport overhauls itself into a holiday wonderland. The town has pulled together since the 1950's to deck out every porch, every tree, and house with millions of twinkling lights. For free, us visitors simply drive (at 3 mph) through the town to check it out. You hear Christmas music coming from every car and all the kids ooh! and ah! as they point out their favorite house.

There's a number of rules here. First, is that you have to be super patient, because the closer it gets to Christmas Day, the more insane the trip to McAddenville gets. You will see miles of cars on the highway waiting to get to where these homes are. I highly suggest going as early in the season as you can to avoid the maddess. Second, everyone turns off their car lights so you can see the house lights better. Last, you have to patient. Wait, didn't I already say that? Like, I said, cars are literally all just in a line crawling through the neighborhood. It takes about 20 minutes to get through the whole thing. It's something that you've got to do at least once.

In spring, there's the Food Festival in uptown. From a food perspective, this one rocks. Local restaurants and chefs from all over Charlotte get to strut their stuff and let you try smaller portions of their foods for a price (but, often not a cheap price). There's an area for the kids with a bouncy house and such that are no charge, and they don't rush you to get off either. You also get the vendors and local companies offering up their goods at tables lining the street as well. You can have alcohol here, too.

Of course, there's dozens of other smaller festivals going on all the time that you can find out about in the Charlotte Observer newspaper. The Yiasou Greek Festival is next week, for example.

There's beer festivals, wine festivals, book fairs, etc. Whatever your interest, there's always something going on. Some are better than others, but most will give you something interesting to do with the kids for a few hours. Going in the evening gives you more of an adult perspective on the event, of course. But most of us transplants are moving here sans family, so we tend to be schlepping out kids around with us for the most part.