The first Saturday in November, Tom, John, Jackie, and I headed to the Dublin Market at Bridge Park. Jackie had told me about this farmers’ market and how nice it was. I thought I had missed it because it runs every Saturday from the beginning of May until the end of September. But there was still one more, a Harvest Market. When I suggested to John and Jackie that we go, they responded they would be glad to go as long as we were at their house by 8:30 a.m. The market opens at 9 and gets crowded quickly.
When I first hear about the Dublin Market at Bridge Park, I pictured it on the bridge at Bridge Park. Fortunately, it was on Longshore Drive, which means I didn’t have to worry about too many people on the pedestrian bridge at once. The entire drive was closed to traffic, and we had a chance to stroll from one end to another.
Over 140 vendors and makers set up at the Dublin Market at Bridge Park. Although most of the people were food vendors of one kind or another, there were plenty of others. Food is my favorite thing to buy at farmers’ markets because it doesn’t accumulate and I can freeze it if I get too much. There was plenty of Ohio State stuff for sale. The DJ at one end of the market played “Hang on Sloopy” and the whole crowd yelled “O-H-I-O” at the appropriate time.
I really enjoyed examining the wares and talking to different makers. One of the most beautiful tables was Qeturah Bolden glassworks. Qeturah is a glass artist and she had a variety of Christmas ornaments and other glass items for sale. Qeturah sells her items online here, but I didn’t see any of the fanciful glass balls for sale.
I found another booth selling homemade jams and marmalades called “Fruit Symphony.” Fruit Symphony is a husband and wife team who make unique jam combinations that create a symphony of tastes. I had a great time looking at the different flavor combinations such as strawberry, pineapple, mango, rum jam and maple, peach, whiskey jam. I picked out five little sampler jars and one full-sized jar of Pear Butter. I love pear butter! It is the only thing better than apple butter. I asked Jeff Grim, jam-maker, how he came up with his flavors. He said that he and his wife loved experimenting with new combinations.
In addition to makers, there were also a couple of farmers. One of them was selling Brussel sprouts, still on the stalk. I had no idea Brussel sprouts came on a stalk. Very interesting! John bought a stalk because he and Jackie like to make roasted Brussel sprouts.
On the south end of the Dublin Market at Bridge Park, I stopped and listened to entertainer Evan Holcombe for a while. I really liked his acoustic guitar and smooth voice. I went up to put a donation in his guitar case and noticed there was a QR code so you could donate online. I’m sure cash was fine with him.
The rest of the items I bought were all from bakers. I got a cinnamon roll from Colaizzi Brothers which had too much sugar on top. It was a crunchy crust that detracted from the gooey goodness of the cinnamon roll. I got some shortbread and a Buckeye cookie from Basil and Thyme. The shortbread was as good as shortbread gets.
There were two booths that had really outstanding baked goods. The first was Angie’s Rainbow Cookies. Jackie said this was one of her favorite booths. Angie’s Rainbow Cookies is a family-run business that makes Italian Rainbow cookies. They also make delicious regular cookies with a twist. Inside a stuffed chocolate chip cookie, you will find a layer of moist, Italian rainbow cake. Inside a normal looking brownie, the colorful layers of rainbow cookie. I bought some Pecan Tassies, a chocolate chip cookie, and a brownie. Tom and I shared the brownie, then he commandeered the chocolate chip cookie. I gave the Pecan Tassies to my mom and she said they were delicious. Everything we bought was excellent.
The other booth that sold superb baked goods was “For the Love of Dough.” I started talking to the guy at the booth because I liked his shirt. I didn’t realize it was the name of the company. All of the cookies had a label that said “Stay for the Vibes Cookie Club.” Frankly, the cookies didn’t look like much, but I picked three flavors to try. The most intriguing one was Banana Cream. It had real chunks of banana and mini marshmallows inside. I got a chocolate chip and a Buckeye cookie as well.
These cookies were amazing! I could taste the butter and other fresh ingredients. I tried to get Tom to try them, but he was fixated on Angie’s chocolate chip. Just looking at the menu of cookies on the website makes me drool. I want to try all of them! Fortunately, this is one of the few vendors at the market that has a store. Anytime I want some of these cookies, I can go to Little Grand Market in Grandview and buy some more.
I love farmers’ markets because you never know what you will find. The Dublin Market at Bridge Park is one of the best and I plan to go again. In the meantime, I know how to order the things I liked the best.