ASPEN– What better way to spend the hot summer afternoons than wandering the charming streets of Aspen, admiring the products that the Saturday Farmers’ Market has to offer while catching up with friends? From mid-June to mid-October the streets are filled with a mix of locals and tourists looking to buy a variety of things such as fresh fruit, meats, beautiful pieces of art, bikes, baked goods, handmade jewelry, jam, clothing, home decor, and many others. The string of tents line up to make a U-shape around Galena and Hopkins, and brings about 100 vendors, adding 12 to the list this year.

Held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can’t seem to get enough, waking up early enough to be the first in line. The farmers’ market helps maintain important social ties, linking rural and urban populations, and even close neighbors, in a mutually rewarding exchange.

“The market inspires healthy living and supporting local produce and local businesses,” Emma Chiles, an AHS senior and farmers’ market worker, said. She works at the Aspen Crunch tent, and enjoys serving both the familiar faces and the people who don’t live here and don’t have access to fresh produce like the market offers.

“This is a place for people who like to eat healthy and be outside, and for people who like to be a part of the community and support those who are a part of it,” Chiles added.

A few first-time comers add their opinion and have nothing but good things to say. Christi, who traveled all the way from Oregon, said “It’s definitely a one of a kind farmer’s market, with all of the local businesses and different tents with so many things to explore, along with it being held in a gorgeous place like Aspen.”

Another person just passing through, expressed, “There is no other place to get your groceries than a local farmer’s market like this, with fresh produce coming from nowhere but around you. This is by far on the top of the list of best markets I’ve been to. I’ll be sure to be back next summer.”