Have you met her yet? The queen, I mean.
In order to meet the self-proclaimed Queen of the Farmers Markets (her reign includes both Fort Fairfield Market on Wednesday and Presque Isle Market on Saturday), you kind of have to hunker down between the venders’ tables at the Farmers Market–“Oakie” holds court down low among the cabbages, potatoes, and pumpkins. This is because even fully upright in her silver frame, either standing or pushing herself with great skill and determination, the Queen does not top three feet. Though, diminutive, she graces everyone with a sweet smile and sparkling eyes. It is obvious from the returning smiles from venders and customers alike, her royal presence gracing our endeavors is appreciated.
Despite the challenges presented by the narrow central aisle formed by PIFM venders, Oakie keeps rolling. When she reaches the end of the “main street” created by pop-up canopies and folding tables, she simply leans back, swivels her wheeled chariot in a tight 180 degree turn, and presses forward again, heading back the other way. Our queen does not attempt the stereotypical, wrist-flexed “Royal Wave” we see in the carriage window when the British queen is out and about. Oakie requires both hands to maintain control of her royal chariot; even with careful navigation, the obstreperous wheels seem to purposely hang up on the wrong side of every obstruction. If she feels frustration, she does not let it show, simply backing up and renegotiating her path. It would not befit royalty to display the petulance of a millennium “snowflake.”
If the voyage from one end of the space to the other becomes too tiresome, Oakie plops down and begins to draw multicolored shapes and mysterious hieroglyphics, sourcing a plastic box of sidewalk chalk her mother places on the asphalt near the Chops Ahoy Farm stand. If the queen is really tired from her multiple voyages up and down the hill (barely noticeable to adults, but more noticeable to short little legs pushing a wheeled vehicle all on her own), she may nibble a snack or snatch a short royal snooze before setting off again.
Like other royalty we learn about on the news, Oakie has attendants who trail her everywhere. Her squires are two older brothers pleased to be in the company of their little sister and anxious to help. For the most part, our queen neither needs nor requests assistance, though she is happy for the company of family and a series of new-found friends. The Little People who join us at The Market are quick to engage in whatever games our Queen chooses to play since, most commonly, purchases at the Farmers Market by parents do not interest our youth until they appear on a dinner plate.
Stop by the Presque Isle Farmers Market in the parking lot of the Aroostook Centre Mall on Saturday. We are open from 8:30-1:00, and offer fruit, vegetables, and meat fit for a king or queen. Our queen will be delighted to enjoy your royal presence as well.
The Presque Isle Farmer’s market’s chair/president for the remainder of the season is Deena Albert-Parks of Chops Ahoy farm in Woodland. For information about participating or visiting the market, contact her at deena.albertparks73@gmail.com.
