When I lived in Wisconsin, my favorite thing to do was go to the Farmer's Market every Saturday. I loved watching all the new items the farmers would bring in, and sharing the bounty of the spring, summer and fall seasons.
In 1972, Mayor Bill Dyke recognized a need to unite the city dwellers and the county's agricultural benefits.
Inspired by Europe's open markets, Dyke called on the Dane County Extension Office and the Central Madison Committee of the Chamber of Commerce to help him replicate the European tradition. The three agencies joined forces to develop the Dane County Farmers' Market.
On the first Saturday in 1972, eager buyers set out to the square with the hopes of loading their bags, wagons and carfts with nature's gifts, only to find just five farmers and their wares. But by 1973, farmers by the dozens parked overnight to secure the best spot on the Square. In 1974, Barry issued season passes for the stalls in an effort to organize the growing Farmers' Market. The only rule then and still enforced today is that products must be Wisconsin grown. 
Each Saturday approximately 18,000 customers converge upon the Square with carts, wagons, baskets, backpacks, grocery sacks, and enchanted relatives and visitors to fill weekly grocery needs. Customers have established a counter-clockwise odyssey around the Square, and vendors can often set clocks and sales by customers. Early customers arrive by six in the morning to take advantage of the cool air and uncrowded conditions. They are the quantity buyers who want the certain variety of tomato to can or that particular cut of meat for supper. They comparison shop, making several circuits to discuss with vendors the quality and price of each attractive item.
Mid-morning customers still have grocery lists, but they also meet friends to enjoy a cup of coffee while surveying the flowers, processed goods, and unusual vegetables available at the market.
Late customers (noon until the closing of the market at two) often bargain shop and enjoy the shade, lunching around the Square and visiting a book store or two. Whatever the purpose for their visit, these customers are loyal. The market occurs rain or shine, hot or cold, and Wisconsinites ignore less-than-perfect conditions to visit the Square.
Taking Max to the Market, or in this case I should say, having Max take US to the market, was a huge thrill for me - something I had been looking forward to for weeks. We had visited the market nearly every weekend of his first year of life, and spoke with excitement about what he might think of the cheese, maple syrup and fresh fruit when he was older. I had always envisioned having him hold my hand and look in awe and the huge bales of corn, the colorful array of popcorn, and the gorgeous shades of and depths of color that adorned the organically grown crops of flowers, fruits and vegies.
Over the past few years, his visits to Wisconsin have left him a huge lover of maple candies, honey sticks and fresh beef sticks. 
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