Everything has changed because of COVID, but the hours at the Pasadena Farmer’s market remain the same through the bulk of the holiday season. According to market manager Gretchen Sterling, some of the Victory Park growers are switching up their day off between the Dec. 26 and Jan 2 markets.
“This gives them all a quick reboot,” said Sterling, “but they never forget that their customers count on them, and all of the market vendors, to keep them healthy.”
Tuesday at Villa will not have any changes in the schedule of growers, Sterling added.
On a sadder note, said Sterling, one of the market’s regular musicians passed away last fall of issues relating to heat exhaustion. King Swami had been a long time fixture at Victory Park, playing for little children with rhythm instruments, keyboard, guitar and tambourine.
King Swami played at several markets in the LA area, and was a regular at Larchmont also. He was forced to stop playing earlier in the year when Health Department restrictions prohibited live music performances.
Customers and growers held a fundraiser in his honor on December 19, raising $850 for Union Station Homeless Services. The market will add an additional $1,000 to Union Station for their programs.
“He was unique in his way,” recalled Sterling, “traveling by bus to and from market each Saturday with a duffle bag of instruments and mini chairs, to share his love of music with the children.”
Those who wish to contribute directly to Union Station in his name, may contact clovely@unionstationhs.org.
Victory Park market will be open each Saturday morning with extended hours from 8 am to 12:30 pm, come through the new monitored entrance at the northwest corner of the parking lot, look for our new signs.
Tuesday morning remains open at Villa Parke Center.
Face coverings are required per the Pasadena Health Department to enter the market.
Pasadena Certified Farmers Market locations are:
Victory Park: 2900 block of North Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Villa Parke: 363 East Villa Street, Pasadena. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For more, visit https://www.pasadenafarmersmarket.org/.