Spring crowds pack Stratford Farmers Market

At the Polish Deli booth at the Stratford Farmers Market on Saturday, customer Jane Czarny (holding her market basket) shares a smile with meat vendors Maria Harrison, Krist Nabrotzky, Sherry Heldmann and Supreme Sausage owner Peter Chudyk. Jane said she shops the market weekly for meat, eggs and produce, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Stratford Farmers Market was buzzing with energy on Saturday as warm spring weather and a major volleyball tournament brought a surge of shoppers and visitors to the long-running community hub.

Laurie Newbrand, president of the Stratford and District Agricultural Society, was busy serving bacon and sausage on a bun, but still found time to express appreciation for the loyal crowd that continues to support local vendors every Saturday between 7 a.m. and noon.

“Meat, egg and produce shoppers keep coming back,” Newbrand said. “And we love seeing new faces, too.”

A large girls’ volleyball tournament taking place next door at the Burn’s Agriplex drew in a wave of out-of-town visitors.

One couple from Hamilton, whose daughter was playing in the tournament, said they enjoy visiting Stratford so much, they’ve even considered moving to the area.

Another couple from Etobicoke said they make a point of stopping by the market whenever they’re in town for volleyball.

“We love the market atmosphere,” they said. “And grabbing a freshly grilled bacon sandwich between games makes the trip even better.”