HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s historic downtown was bustling with activity Saturday, May 27, as the Community Market returned and drew plenty of folks to the area.
“The Community Market got off to a great start on its opening day with a very enthusiastic crowd eager to see what was new and different,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “There are three more produce vendors signed up for the season and some interesting new crafters as well as returning farmers and crafters from last year.”
Katie Cone, a Houlton native who now resides in Biddeford where she studies osteopathic medicine at the University of New England, came to the market with her grandmother looking for fresh vegetables.
“My gram wanted me to be sure I had some greens to take back with me, so I got some spinach and swiss chard,” she said. “Every time I come home, I want to come in for the market on Saturday mornings to see what’s new.”
Erica Tweedie also was on the hunt for fresh vegetables, which were hard to come by so early in the growing season. “My son loves cucumbers, but we couldn’t find any today,” she said. “The boys also love the Amish doughnuts, so we got some of them and I got myself some new earrings.”
Caleb Jewell is one of the new vendors at this year’s market. Jewell’s booth featured homemade Native American dreamcatchers, which he markets under the business name C.J.’s Dreams.
“My grandmother — Blanche Jewell — taught me how to make dream catchers and necklaces,” he said. “I’ve been really working on them for the past few months, getting ready for the summer.”
Jewell said a typical dream catcher can be created in about an hour, while some of the more complicated designs require extra time. All of the dream catchers are built with leather, with some yarn and felt patterns placed over it for added color.
“The story behind the dream catcher is that you hang these up over your bed and they are supposed to catch all of your bad dreams,” he explained. “I figured this was a good way to show people my heritage.”
Flower seedlings were given to the first 50 visitors of the market, Torres said. A new committee also was created to add more fun events to the market this year, she said.
“Judging by the opening day turnout, it’s going to be a fabulous summer for Houlton Community Market,” Torres said.
The Community Market is held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day.
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- Ryan and Reagan Wright of Houlton show off some of the plants they helped their mother pick out at the Houlton Community Market Saturday, May 27, in downtown Houlton. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Tammy Mulvey, background, speaks with a customer at her display of flowers and plants during the Houlton Community Market on Saturday, May 27, in downtown Houlton. Mulvey owns and operates Pleasant View Tree Farm in Hodgdon. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Caleb Jewell, owner of CJ’s Dreams, arranges a row of dream catchers at the Houlton Community Market Saturday, May 27. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Fresh vegetables were hard to come by at the first Community Market of the year in Houlton on Saturday, May 27, but will become a bigger focus as the growing season progresses. (Joseph Cyr)
