Vendors set up shop under pop-up tents that line both sides of the street. The market is bisected by Chorro St: toward Osos St is where all of the farm fresh goods can be found and, in the opposite direction (toward Nipomo), are located the craft, prepared food, and specialty vendors.
There is a vast variety of fresh, locally-produced foods being sold: fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, honey, jams and jellies, as well as cheese and raw dairy products. Fresh flowers are sold as well.
Most of the prepared food vendors are local downtown bars and restaurants serving up their variations of the regional grilled cuisine: tri-tip, ribs and roasted corn. The F. McLintock's grilling station regularly has the longest line, sometimes 50 people deep!
Other food options available include teriyaki chicken, clam chowder, bratwurst, kettle corn, and Mexican and Italian dishes. There's usually at least one vegetarian booth as well.
Interspersed within the prepared food half of the market are booths offering crafts, services, political affiliations, and other locally-produced goods.
Musicians and other street performers can usually be found on the streets intersecting Higuera: Morro, Chorro, and Garden.
Likely the most well known out of all who make a musical appearance at the market is Marston Smith, better known as Lord of the Cello. Dressed in medieval costume, with rainbow lighting and a fan to blow his hair, Smith is an over-the-top character who performs solos on his electric cello over a backing track. It's not my musical preference, but the performance is captivating enough to keep my attention!
The market is a great way to spend a Thursday evening. It's a safe environment with much to see and taste. Cash is a necessity though, as hardly any vendors accept credit cards.
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