Another great Nederland Farmers Market season ended on Sunday, October 1, 2023, with one of the biggest parties in the Peak to Peak area, Harvest Fest! As the changing of the leaves brings nature lovers in droves to our little slice of mountain paradise, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a celebration of the region’s best artisans, artists, bakers, chefs, crafters, and musicians was held right in the center of town.

In addition to all of your favorite vendors who have served at the farmers market since the beginning of the summer, the Harvest Fest delivered the alluring smell of roasted chile peppers in the air, tables adorned with seasonal gourds for sale, and many more choices for delicious food and an expanded roster of musical acts.

Lost Penny provided the soundtrack for the morning with their energetic bluegrass jam from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Rolling Harvest, with Clay Rose of the Gasoline Lollipops, delivered their Bob Dylan and Neil Young inspired rock n’ roll from 1 to 4 p.m.

Creative minds and masters of different arts featured their works of passion for passersby to peruse, such as Danielle Crouse with her paintings, Evi3lution. jewelry.design with mala necklaces, Heather Taylor with her colorful original paintings, cups, and light switch covers, and Carrie Bladyka with her custom knit winter hats.

As locals and leaf peepers jammed to the music and roamed the arts and crafts displayed at the market, they were easily enticed by the choice of eats, from crispy fries and falafels from Kaleidoscope Kitchen, to savory and scrumptious samosas from Susan’s Samosas. Tip Top Savory Pies dished out their New Zealand meat pies, and Matteo’s Crepes served up sweet and savory filled crepes.

While pumpkins were definitely featured at Harvest Fest, the Nederland Farmers Market’s booth also sold beautiful winter squash, sweet corn, apples, and root vegetables like beets and radishes. This year’s Harvest Fest also gave young ones the chance to get their faces painted, ride a yak, and paint a pumpkin with their own spooky designs.

This year’s market season was a great success and provided the community with great art, food, and music all through the summer and into the coming winter. A very special thanks goes to all who volunteered for this year’s Nederland Farmers Market, and to all the hardworking Peak to Peak vendors who strive to deliver only the best for the community.