CARIBOU — Members of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs are inviting visitors to their new farmers market on Saturday, July 23 to share in Micmac culture and hospitality and to celebrate the new growing season. Located near the Caribou/Presque Isle town line on Route 1, the cultural celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and will showcase an all-day basket making demonstration with the Micmac youth led by David and Donna Sanipass.
According to event organizers, the Sanipass family is well known for their vast knowledge on Wabanaki basketry and their teaching of this practice. “Everyone is welcome to come for the whole day or just a portion; regardless, the day will be filled with the Sanipass teachings,” they said.
The event begins with an introduction by David, after which he will pound ash logs to make the strips of wood used in basket making. At noon there will be a one-hour lunch break for the basket-makers as well as a seasonal cooking demonstration offering an opportunity to learn new recipes and ways to prepare seasonal produce; the dishes prepared during this hour will then be available for tasting by participants. In the afternoon, Donna will guide the children through the basket making process while David shares traditional stories.
Farmer’s Market staff will be available during the event to take visitors on a tour of the Market’s two buildings, which are nearing completion. In addition to the retail area of the market (where event will take place), the facilities will feature a kitchen to prepare, can and preserve food from the market. The second building will house the fish hatchery and a cold storage area; two greenhouses will also be attached to the market building in the near future.
The farm crew has been putting in long hours to prepare for this year’s growing season and the farm’s ten acres of row crops consist of squash, tomatoes, onions, beans, corn, potatoes, lettuces and herbs as well as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
There are also several thousand grafted apple trees in the tree nursery and seedlings growing for a Christmas tree plantation. On July 23, the farm crew expects a number of crops to be ready for sale, including an Aroostook County favorite combination of new potatoes and peas.
