Angel Fire Resort Art + Farmer’s Market Says “I Know Jo, Do You?”

By Jo Mixon

Me with produce vendor, Jerry Neal.

One of the absolute best new venues in Angel Fire this summer has been the Sunday Art + Farmer’s Market in Frontier Park Plaza. It is so nice to experience the sites and smells and sounds of a fresh outdoor market. Added are many other organic treats, local and regional artisans, a kid’s zone, made to order foods, and music to shop by. The atmosphere is enticing, as well as engaging!

Angel Fire Resort’s Events and Sponsorship Manager, Chris Blumenstetter, invited me to meet the vendors and gain a little background to share with you. Chris told me the original concept of the Farmer’s Market was to allow local and regional farmers a place to sell their goods, as if they were on the side of the road, but in a more convenient spot, where consumers would know they would be selling, on a consistent schedule.

The cornerstone produce vendor is Jerry Neal. He is based out of Chama, New Mexico. Jerry brings in freshly picked produce from various farmers in New Mexico and Colorado, around the Palisades and Grand Junction area. His cantaloupes and watermelons are from Pecos and Midland Texas. (I was so excited to see yellow meated watermelons! I hadn’t tasted one in years. They are so sweet and have that melt in your mouth goodness!) Jerry said he had worked construction for years in the blistering heat of Texas, when his daughter suggested he come to New Mexico where she lived, to cool down and set up a side of the road watermelon stand. So that is exactly what he did. The first truck load he brought sold out in a matter of hours. He still sells out of his stand, close to Farmington, NM and has added more fruits and vegetables. He agreed to do the Angel Fire Market when approached by Mike Hess, Chief Marketing Officer, Angel Fire Resort, with his concept. They are both very pleased with the success of the event. There have been anywhere from 250 to 400 people visit the market every Sunday.

Some of the other vendors I meet at the Art + Farmers Market were: All Things Twisted, who offered beading classes on the spot, jewelry, vintage clothing and hula hoops. Black Lake Coffee Roasters were giving free samples and sales from their locally roasted coffee, NurturEssence Artisan Skincare with products that are made from her own herb and flower gardens, Just Kidding Farm and Goat Club with a large scale of homemade product, baby and toddler clothing from Handprinted by Elbe, fresh raw local honey from Mora’s Ranchito Organic Farm (they say local honey is the best thing to cure sinus and allergy problems), Heaven Scent Breads had many items to choose from including organic eggs, fresh gluten free breads, coffee cakes, cookies, scones, jellies and jams and cheeses, even fresh beef. Plus Michael, Executive Chef from Legends in the Lodge of Angel Fire Resort was onsite cooking asian food and Enchanted Circle Brewery has it’s food truck filled with delicious lunch items. After I loaded up on fruits and vegetables, fresh roasted Hatch green chilis and other wonderful items for the week, I wandered over to the Kids Zone for free face painting and a giant jenga game! I was delighted to know all ages are welcome to get their faces painted! They use vegan non-toxic water soluble hypoallergenic paint. Cassandra, head face painter, said, “It is the happiest paint in the world! We use only happy paint.” Well that made me happy!

Chris is excited to be a part of this great new addition to our Angel Fire summer activities. He and his wife, Olivia, moved to Angel Fire a few months ago from Hawaii. Already they have become community assets!

There are 4 Sundays left to shop and enjoy the Art + Farmer’s Market. And there is still space available for vendors. If you have any questions or would like to set up a booth and become part of this awesome Sunday market, give Chris a call at 505-204-2678 or email him at cblumenstetter@angelfireresort.com. There is plenty of room for you! Maybe I’ll see you there!

Art + Farmer’s Market
Frontier Park Plaza
Angel Fire, NM
Sunday’s through September 4, 2016
10:00 am to 2:00 pm