One of my favorite early memories of living in Bozeman involves sitting under a tree beside Bozeman Creek eating locally made goat cheese and jelly atop freshly baked bread surrounded by friends at the Bogert Farmer’s Market. The cheese was placed on an actual cheese board that I had just acquired at the market while swept up in the summer breeze and hubbub of the crowd. I do not normally make random purchases of cheese boards, but it is easy to get carried away at this excellent weekly event.

In anticipation of another summer of farmer’s market fun, I had a conversation with the director, Salal Huber-McGee. She explained that this season marks the ten-year anniversary of the Bogert Farmer’s Market, which is run by volunteers. They pull together this fantastic community affair every week for seventeen weeks. The market takes place on Tuesdays from 5-8pm starting this season on June 5th and continuing through September 25th, but the impact of the market extends beyond the summertime. In addition to coordinating the market itself, the Bogert Farmer’s Market, in conjunction with local partners, also works to complete Park Improvement Projects.

This year, the projects include working to refinish the outside of the bathrooms at Bogert, and the installation of a very unique drinking fountain at the park. This fountain, which will be created by local sculptor Mitch Billis and rest upon a mosaic to be produced by local artists Lisa Lord and Sarah Anderson, will be made in the likeness of a trout. The mosaic will include tiles featuring the names of donors at the $100 and $250 level. In true Bozeman fashion, the lower section of the sculpture will feature a drinking fountain for dogs. According to Huber-McGee, in selecting Park Improvement Projects, they “try to do things that are functional and at the same time aesthetically pleasing and incorporate the arts.” This drinking fountain plan certainly fits the bill, and in the future, they hope to work on projects in other parks around town.

If this type of active community involvement piques your interest, the Bogert Farmer’s Market welcomes volunteers in different capacities. Volunteer commitments range from assisting in the setting up and taking down of the market, to becoming involved on the board. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, Huber-McGee asks that you call the market at 406-539-0216 or email bogertfarmersmarket@gmail.com. If you are interested in making a donation toward the fountain project, the contact information is the same.

With all of this in mind, I eagerly anticipated the first market of the season. Shortly before it began, the sky darkened, and erupted in a rather dramatic thunderstorm. I was not deterred, and neither were many other enthusiastic Bozemanites, who arrived at the park as the storm abated. As I approached the pavilion, my ears were greeted to a Rage Against the Machine song, as played by a man with a steel guitar. I did not make it far before a friendly and energetic young woman dressed in the Co-op carrot suit plied my group with smoothie coupons. The market was off to a good start. As we perused the various stalls, I was on the hunt for a small gift, and in short order we encountered the Berry Bandit, from whom I purchased award-winning chokecherry jelly. Gift in hand, we went in search of dinner. The first stop in what became a bit of a movable feast shared among friends was for delicious made-to-order wood fire stove cooked pizza involving arugula and goat cheese. My boyfriend then bee-lined in the direction of gyros, and I lost my brother somewhere near an espresso cart. It seemed as if every time I turned around, they had purchased another amazing looking baked good. I acquired a vegetable tamale, and said yes to habanero sauce, because I like to think of myself as adventurous. For dessert, we contentedly sipped upon lovely frozen chocolate drinks slathered in whipped cream, which cooled my burning lips. Inexplicably, no one in my group was interested in allowing me to commission a balloon hat for them.

After a quick walk on top of Pete’s Hill we meandered back to Bogert to catch the performance of 10 Foot Tall & 80 Proof. As the music started, we sat ourselves down in the wet grass as a group of people gathered. I remained perfectly still, and tried to pretend that I was too cool for dancing while actually being too self-conscious to expose my utter lack of rhythm. Meanwhile, kids with lips blue from snow cones danced and twirled around with parents. One little girl dragged her big brother out onto the impromptu dance area and rocked out while he struggled desperately to escape. It was all very cute.

In summary, I love the Bogert Farmer’s Market not only for the opportunity to support local farmers, restaurants, and artists, but also for the sense of camaraderie in the air. I love that Bozeman embraces this type of event, and that I know I will see my friends there. I think this market is part of what defines our wonderful, active community.

For further information on the Bogert Farmer’s Market, please visit their website at Bogert Farmers’ Market

After visiting the west at the age of fourteen, Jamie Balke has been coming up with progressively more elaborate schemes to never leave.