Summerland will be throwing a whopper of a block party next weekend, and you’re invited.
Farmer & The Flea — which will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Summerland Post Office, 2245 Lillie Ave., and nearby streets — is the community’s largest monthly market so far, with 35 vendors, live music and a host of artisans displaying their creations.
Among the participating businesses, organizations and services are Summerland Winery, Chili by The Nugget, Taco Truck, Summerland School children’s lemonade stand, Cork & Compass Beer Garden, Red Kettle Coffee, dog adoptions, wellness workshops by Summerland Salon & Spa, and a local artist popup by Botanik.
The Farmer & The Flea idea was the brainchild of Summerland resident Megan Husbands, who pitched the concept of a combined monthly farmers and flea market at a local citizens meeting. Husbands’ sister, Hattie, came up with name, and the first market was held last September.
Scheduled for the fourth Sunday of the month, the market has grown in popularity and size, and welcomes all artisans creating and cultivating the sweet Summerland vibe.
Husbands — a massage therapist, skin therapist, dog therapist and yoga instructor — is a dedicated champion of the eclectic Summerland, where she has lived since 2014.
“I love the funky architecture, the bun-burning streets and the overall charm of Summerland,” she told Noozhawk.
“My sense of community was especially rekindled with the recent disasters,” she added.
Because residents were cut off for many weeks, and unable to get to their jobs or run errands, neighbors had to rely on neighbors.
“When water and groceries were getting low, it was my neighbors and small corner store that kept us afloat,” Husbands said.
It was in those moments that she felt the urge for a deeper connection with her town.
“Our main street, Lillie Avenue, had some incredible shops and restaurants but was still missing more community for residents to come, buy local, shop local and connect their passions,” she said.
When Husbands made her presentation at the citizens meeting, many of the board members shared memories of when there once was a similar market in Summerland and remarked at how fantastic it was. Needless to say, the project was approved.
Connecting with several business owners like Rita Villa of Bonita, Jonathon and Kara from Summerland Salon & Spa, Haley from Summerland Winery and Megan Tingstrom of Red Kettle Coffee, Husbands found they were all on board with a shared vision of bringing energy back into the community of 1,500.
“It’s been a slow process,” Husbands said, “but the little engine that could is picking up steam and building momentum every month … Just like other surrounding communities it is a grassroots organization that calls for rebuilding and reviving our much loved community!”
For more information about Farmer & The Flea, email hello@summerlandca.org.
— Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.