The ever-mercurial Park Silly Sunday Market is undergoing a metamorphosis to coincide with the change of seasons one that ushers in the colder-weather goods that will characterize the last four markets.
Last Sunday, milliners Jan Lisenbee and Deborah Liddle, showcased knit caps for winter and just up the street, market regular David Chen of Zoe’s Natural Garden Produce, purveyor of 120 different varieties of tomatoes, boasted melons, onions and Swiss chard salad mixes. Chen said apples will soon make their debut on his yellow truck, along with new kinds of squashes and potatoes.
New artists have been showcasing their work as well, including glass artist and Parley’s Park third grade teacher Karan Bleicher and Salt Lake City-based Peruvian painter, and self-described “21st Century Mystic,” Mara Tarnawiecki, whose paintings depict images from primordial times that celebrate “the female divine.” Curtis Matsko, was also at the market Sunday. He sold notebooks made from used book covers, circa 1950-1980, and acid-free white paper. Matsko claims not to be an artist, however, “just clever.” “It’s just a way to use old vintage books that would otherwise just go to waste,” he said.
Joining the new slate of vendors last Sunday was Park City Councilman Roger Harlan’s daughter, Lynn Harlan, who offered hand-knit alpaca wool scarves and wool ponchos, earthy pottery and felt, round-bottomed bags. “I’m here now because my goods really wouldn’t have been desirable a couple of weeks ago,” she said.
The latest additions to the market will be celebrated with this Sunday’s Silly Market theme, “Colorful Changes: An Autumn Celebration.”
The new Main Street open-air market began in June, and since that time, a few kinks have needed to be ironed out in its first year the market has rearranged its booths on the edges of the street instead of the middle and moved its beer garden to 7th Street, but overall the founders are pleased with their debut.
“We’ve got it down to a science,” said Silly Market Creative Director Julie Doerr-Arenson. “From noon on, the street is full. We’re still very busy.”
The market has developed a reputation that extends beyond state lines, and has attracted drop-in vendors traveling through Park City. Last week, Kerry Harmon, a vendor of antiques, drove three-and-a-half hours from Pocatello, Idaho. Bev Grems, who crochets hats made of yarn and beer cans and quilts scarves, dropped in from Des Moines, Iowa. Market Executive Director Kimberly Keuhn explained that the popularity of the weekly markets has spread primarily through word-of-mouth. She said she expects more drop-in artists in the future.
“It’s bigger and better than we ever even thought of,” she said. “How do you explain that? It is above and beyond our expectations. Everyone is so into it. Everybody wants to be a part of the market whether you’re a vendor, a food vendor, a performer, a singer, or a nonprofit organization.”
The theme of Park Silly Sunday Market on Sept. 23 will be “Colorful Changes: An Autumn Celebration” and will feature the music of pop-folk artist Wendy Darling, acoustic guitarist Alex Diaz, bluegrass by Red Desert Ramblers, the sound of the didgeridoo and flute by Tim DeChristopher, and the Liz Anderson Trio. Performances by the Spencer Kellogg duo and the Incendiary Circus are also scheduled. The featured chef will be Romina Rasmussen, No Worries Café’s pastry chef. The featured nonprofit organizations will be the Axis Freeride Ski Club, Free Wheelchair Mission, the National Ability Center, and the Park City Snowboard Team The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Historic Main Street between 9th Street and Heber Ave. For more information, visit www.parksillysundaymarket.com .
Coming up this fall at Park Silly Sunday Market
The market will continue through Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday on the lower half of Park City’s Historic Main Street.
*Produce: winter squashes, potatoes, melons, tomatoes and apples
Music: Red Desert Ramblers (bluegrass) on Sept. 23, African drummers on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, Chasing Zen on Oct. 7
Featured art: body painting on Sept. 23, spray painting on Sept. 30, mural art on Oct. 7,
*Chefs: No Worries Café Pastry Chef Romina Rasmussen, Salt Park City (an organic restaurant which will open next spring) Executive Chef Gavin Baker on Sept. 30, Wild Oats raw food chef on Oct. 7,
Performances: Incendiary Circus on Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, Coral Serpent Belly Dancers on Sept. 30.
Grand Finale on Oct. 14: “Oktoberfest: Pumpkins, Beers and Brats!” The Park Silly Sunday Market will change its hours to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on its last day and include multiple live music performances from singer-songwriter Marybeth Maziarz to the Irish punk group Swagger.