The lure is the donuts.
Every Saturday from May through October, someone, some charitable group, starts frying up donuts in the early morning hours in the kitchen of the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Oak Park and lines start forming for a donut and coffee. Originally begun as a fundraising project for the church, it was later opened up to various organizations.
Then, there is the pick-up band.
Banjos and autoharps, guitars and cellos. A mandolin here, a bodhran or cymbals there; musicians stepping in as spots become available and stepping out in an intricate dance known only to the musicians. You can pull up a chair, or enjoy your donut and coffee at a table, if one is available, and simply enjoy the music. Saturday, it was bluegrass, with some hearty foot tapping to go with the soft autumn breeze, and some of the sweetest voices this side of heaven.
For 35 years, Oak Park has held their farmers market in the back lot of the church. It is one of the biggest and longest running markets in the Chicagoland area. We try to go a few times in the season. This year it just didn’t happen, so, with the temptation of a fresh donut in mind and some locally grown produce my mission, I headed in to Oak Park and one of their last markets of the year.
Parking was premium. Pilgrim church is across the street from Oak Park River Forest High School and there was a football game being played. It was a madhouse just trying to turn into the parking garage, though I lucked out and found a parking spot right away. There was an air of festivity with the cheers of the crowds and the dueling whistles between the football game and the traffic policemen. Wagons were filled with huge pumpkins and cornstalks were leading their new owners to their cars or down the leaf lined streets surrounding the church.
It was such a good day to be a Midwesterner!
I listened to the music for a while, eyeing the extra long donut line, and, basket in hand, decided to peruse the market first. String beans and zucchini called me into one booth, a taste for Greek vegetable stew emerging. Mutsu apples for some applesauce – and two caramel apples to share with Tom later. Round I went, gathering produce and soaking in the sights and scents of the season.
My basket was heavy, my wallet was not, as I stopped to listen to the band one more time. They put down their instruments and smiled to the applause in appreciation for their efforts. The musicians and their music packed up for another day.
I never did get a donut.
I think I’ll come back on their last day, the 30th. Free Stone Soup until they run out on the last day of the market. All the vendors provide the ingredients and a local restaurant makes the soup. Sound good, doesn’t it?
What a lovely day! I can smell the donuts! I love American farmer’s markets…I hope to get to one out of state next weekend, and eat donuts and drink apple cider. I love autumn!
It was, Rachel. I am fortunate to have many farmers markets nearby. Alas, they are just about over. Donuts and apple cider are IT! Yankee Magazine usually runs a fall issue listing all sorts of church festivals with food and fun. You might find it at the library or Border’s type bookstore. Enjoy!
What a wonderful day. I love the idea of a pick-up band. We go listen to that kind of thing all of the time.Our son in law is often asked to sit in with other bands and loves it. One thing I have noticed about musicians is that they have such appreciation for each other. Donuts….there is a small Amish settlement near Cuba, Il. that makes homemade donuts on the 1st Saturday of each month. We have never made it early enough for the donuts, but they sell spices, produce, and other things so the trip is worth it. Lovely, lovely…Autumn in the Midwest. Thanks for sharing your day.
It was a good day, Janet. Isn’t it fun to do, and with a family member, even better. They do have an appreciation of each other and a way of communicating to each other when playing that is a language in itself. Sounds like a tasty thing to visit Cuba, IL and I bet those donuts are sublime. Aren’t we lucky to have this season? Today, I’m cutting back the garden.
Sounds like fun and looks like it too. Great photo of the front of the church (or is it the back). I can feel the fall air in your pictures (or if I walk outside, but you know what I mean).
Sorry you didn’t get a donut.
Stone Soup, that’s such a great idea. I am anticipating a great upcoming post with some old and new memories.
I did have fun, thank you.This is actually the front of the church with the market in back. In the first picture I am just across the street. The second had me on top of the parking garage and, yes, I know what you mean.
I actually wrote a post called Stone Soup earlier today that is in the queue to post in the morning. Hmm, maybe I need a second post as you are probably remembering the story about my first grade class making it and the PTA mom nervously coming in to tell me someone put a stone in the soup. ha! or ooops! Now I’ve told that story.
Mmmm American donuts..have to be good. I love Farmer’s Markets. There was one just around the corner from me but due to popularity have moved over the river. Boo hoo. Stone soup..what a neat idea. Great photos..what a lovely church.
They are very good donuts, Joan. It is unfortunate for you that your market has moved (but good for the farmers and vendors I suppose). The church is very old and such an inviting house of worship. Oak Park is interesting. Author Ernest Hemingway lived there, as did architect Frank Lloyd Wright. You can tour his house, just a few blocks away from this church. I’ll go inside one day and post some pictures. I’m sure it is as lovely inside as it is outside. I wish I could take you this market.
[...] I made it on Saturday night. As I was putting the ingredients in the pot, I was thinking about the Oak Park Farmers Market I visited earlier in the day and the stone soup that would be made by a local restaurant with [...]
[...] errands included a trip to the Oak Park Farmers Market. Always a feast for the senses, this market hosts primarily organic produce, meats, cheeses and [...]