By CALEB FOX
Staff Reporter
Before the late summer temperatures topped the century mark on Saturday, Sept. 7, residents of Oakdale and surrounding communities took over North Third Avenue in the city’s downtown. It was the same as they have done every Saturday morning since May 4 with the weekly Oakdale Morning Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
There are just a few weeks left of this popular event, with upcoming Saturdays through the end of September still offering up the market, Sept. 14, 21 and the final market on Sept. 28.
Each week, different musicians, artists, and vendors set up shop in the downtown area, showcasing their large and small businesses, some in town and others from around the 209 area. There is fresh produce, freshly baked bread and pastries, food trucks, arts and crafts, jewelry, candles, flowers, clothing, handmade goods and more.
A few of the business participants this past week included House of Beef, Oaxacan Tamales, Refuge Coffee, Roberts Ferry Gourmet, SONS Farm Fresh, El Concilio California, and many others.
“Each week we keep one non-profit space open that lets a charity or organization come,” Lisa Kjeldgaard, Director of Love Oakdale and one of the Oakdale Morning Market organizers, said.
During the Sept. 7 market, El Concilio California was invited to take this non-profit space and provided information to families about ways to achieve self-sufficiency and social integration through education, legal services, workshops, training, and counseling.
“El Concilio, an affiliate of UnidosUS, is a non-profit community-based organization offering a variety of services across eight departments to high-risk youth, infants, families, and adults representing, primarily, the Hispanic population of the Central Valley,” information from the organization noted.
Alongside a space for a non-profit every week, Oakdale Morning Market also provides spaces for local musicians and artists to showcase their talent. Throughout the summer, Alex Lucero, Kenny Moore, Matthew Rae Music, and Michael Walker were among those who performed live music for the masses.
Stationed across from the live music is a spot reserved for an ‘Artist in Residence’ who works on their craft during the market, providing a demonstration as people walk by or stop in for a closer look. Frogs and Chaos Studio, Doug Kolsters Art, Pottery by Joe, Phil Vance Art, and R.K.B. Studios have all been part of the market throughout the summer. This past Saturday featured R.K.B. Studios turning clay on a pottery wheel to make ceramic vases and bowls.
Another popular feature has been the area featuring young entrepreneurs, who have displayed and sold their handcrafted items and artwork on a rotating basis, with several youngsters setting up shop each Saturday.
With only three dates left for Oakdale Morning Market, residents and vendors are preparing to enjoy their Saturday mornings with community fellowship. The next market, on Sept. 14, will feature Art of Stephanie S. Herroz for the Artist in Residence, Neil Buettner performing live music, and the non-profit space reserved for the American Association of University Women.
