Aberdeen

I returned on a Sunday morning to Lansdowne to visit the farmer's market. This is the main market in the city, and carries on through the year. During the months from November into April, the farmers are inside, with an emphasis on local growers. During the warmer weather they're outdoors on the north side, in Aberdeen Square. The weather on this morning was clear, sunny, and cool. 

I stopped briefly in the Christmas market in the square. It wasn't open for business yet, but some vendors were getting organized for a ten AM start. The previous night, a windstorm had blown through the Ottawa Valley. It was probably the remnants of that system of tornadoes in the American mid-west.

These two didn't know what to make of each other.

I went inside, where things were underway. The Pavilion dates to the end of the 19th century, used as an exhibition hall. It remains in use today, and each week hosts the market on Sundays. During December, the farmer's market also takes place on Saturdays. The market is off this weekend and next weekend for the holidays, but will be back in January.

Along with farmers and their produce are artisans and Christmas offerings.

I made some purchases: a couple of large jugs of apple cider, a smaller jug of pear cider, some jam and honey, and some baked goods. The place was busy. Masks were seen worn by visitors and vendors.

Handcrafted wooden toys by one of the regular vendors.

And these caught my eye.

A last view inside the building. The Aberdeen is the last survivor of its kind in the country of the 19th century, and has been designated a national historic site.