Bloomington Farmers' Market

The Bloomington Farmers' Market is a community of participators.  Everyone at the farmers' market serves a purpose.  There is live music, fresh produce, prepared food, hand-made crafts and so much more that brings people to this social event every Saturday morning.
Despite the rain, I was impressed by the number of people who attended the Bloomington Farmers' Market last Saturday morning.  It was interesting to speculate the diverse group of people.  Many kids tagged along with their parents as well.  Quite the family-friendly place. During the Q&A, Marcia said that kids come along mainly for the social aspect.  It is a safe environment.  It also introduces healthy food to these kids at a young age.  From my observations, I noticed that people walk at a slow pace, taking in the uplifting environment surrounding them.  It is extremely refreshing to go to a place where people genuinely are enjoying themselves and are happy to be at.
Everyone I spoke to was beyond helpful and friendly.  I asked a guy why he preferred farmers' markets to grocery stores and he gave me a well-thought out response.  He told me the food here was fresher, it tasted better, and it lasted longer.  He said there are no pesticides or heirloom varieties.  This guy also said the farmers' market was closer and a more convenient commute.  It was clear he preferred the organic food to processed foods.
It was very eye-opening to speak to one of the guitarists there.  He told me that, while getting a dollar was greatly appreciated, he prefers seeing that he made someone smile.  He went on to tell me his life story, how his dad did not support his musical interests, how he thinks every kid should be surrounded by music and instruments of their choosing, how he is dealing with his health issues, how his strong faith in never giving up is what keeps him going each day, and how music puts him in his own world.  We met as strangers but I walked away from the musician feeling like I had known him for years with a newfound faith in humanity.
The social bonding is what makes the participatory aspects of the Bloomington Farmers' market similar to the participatory aspects of music.  There are many ways to participate at the Bloomington Farmers' market, including as a vendor, consumer, musician, dog-walker, or simply as a tourist.  The vendors admitted that they have close relationships with one another, as well as with their regular customers.  The vendors and consumers find mutual interests in the products for sale and are able to connect on a deeper level through that.  Musicians connect with their listeners, like I had with the guitarist.  Dog-walkers and tourists intentionally attend the market to connect with one another as well.  At the Bloomington Farmers' Market, everyone is expected to participate in some form, and the greater the participation, the greater the feel and deeper the bond.  No matter what your role is in participating in and contributing to the Bloomington Farmers' market, you are essential to the positive sense of community.