Bank BBQ and Local Market Woes

Last week was the annual Summer BBQ for our bank, and we made a point of heading over on our bikes for some burgers and sausages. The event is nice, they hold it throughout the area, and we’d made it to the Windsor one and chowed down. We figured it would be fun to see all of our friends and neighbors, but interestingly enough, when we got there, they weren’t there. We knew a few people, but most them I didn’t recognize, which is amazing when you realize how small our town is. It’s awkward, too, because we have to go and sit down with people we don’t know. This trepidation is always unfounded because everyone is so nice, and this time was no different.

It was good we rode our bikes because we stuffed ourselves, and then had ice cream, so riding back was a chance to burn some calories. That afternoon, however, was also the local FM, and the kids wanted to go even though I was not so keen on the idea. Then again, who cares what dad wants?

The market was slow, and if I may say so, a bit depressing. In fact, the kids usually love being there, but none of their friends were there, and at one point, they even said they wanted to leave. Once again, I felt guilty for not being a vendor.

On that note, the idea came up for us to do an occasional market to help pump things up a little. There used to be a decent contingent of people who would come and spend the evening having a meal and listening to music. It was very pleasant with the kids running around and parents just chatting. That seems to have disappeared, and largely because there are is a lack of food options.

I spoke with CS, and she mentioned having the food vendors return for an occasional market that they would promote to encourage people to return. I said I would talk to R about it and get back to her, but I’m thinking we’ll give it a try. I’d like to help, even in lieu of the hell that it entails in our lives. Our community market needs us. It’s difficult to reconcile sometimes because customers say they miss us and we feel bad when they come for dumplings and we’re not there, but you have to remember that they get to come whenever they please. We, on the other hand, show up regardless of whether or not they do, and we can’t ask them why they weren’t there.

Then again, nobody said life was fair. This should be interesting. Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to Piotr Omański for the pic.