By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Friday night market and live concert series at Lake Gregory began for this summer, last Friday June 12 in the Leisure Shores parking lot on the eastern shore of Lake Gregory. The market is open from 4 to 8 p.m. with numerous craft vendors, food vendors including fresh fruits and veggies and even beer.
The market is now right on Lake Gregory’s eastern shore so attendees can buy some food for dinner, lay out their blankets on the shore and enjoy their meals while the sun sets over the lake.
Last week had Buddy’s BBQ, The Artisan Wood Fired Pizza Oven, Oak Leaf Bakery and Middle East Bakery for food items, and Spooky Sips fresh juices and the Bear Claw Saloon for cold drinks and beer. Additional food vendors are expected this week. The food booths were on the north side of the lot. There were also tables and chairs for seating near the stage.
In the middle were easy-ups showing handmade artisan items and a wide variety of new and vintage clothing, hats, henna tattoos by the Henna Medium, Tammy’s Face and Body Art, crochet items and The Sterling Feather jewelry. More artisan booths, approximately 25 each week, will be in the mix.
On stage from 5 p.m until 8 p.m. was Michael J. Gonzalez playing classic rock. The stage is next to the lakeshore, just inside the parking lot, so the audience is looking at the stage with the lake behind it. The music could also be heard in the meadow across the stream from the San Moritz Lodge. Some folks brought their folding chairs to sit in and enjoy the music, but there are also some low rock walls on which to sit in the shade and space to lay out blankets. Some were sitting in folding chairs in front of the stage and others, including children, were dancing on the cement to the music. The general consensus of the crowd was that the venue was delightful and so was the music. Upcoming bands include the Middle-Aged Dad Bods, The Sawpit Canyon Band, Tom Fernando and others. They still have a couple openings for bands so message Alex Hancock on the Facebook page: “The Market at Lake Gregory,” or email him at events@digitalnomadvideo.com.
It is anticipated that on some Fridays that more people may be flying kites, which they were last Friday night, or sitting on blankets in the meadow too. The new children’s playground was crowded with kids playing on the equipment all market night long as well.
The Friday evening market on Lake Gregory in Crestline.
People attending the market night ranged in age from small children to long-time residents to seniors. There were bicycle riders, and skateboard trick riders and lake walkers, who stopped on their walk around the lake. Friday night friends who hadn’t seen each other all winter were there greeting each other again. Teens who had just graduated from Rim of the World High School the night before were there to get their favorite pizza.
Many people enjoyed challenging each other playing the games set up on the flats next to the lake, including Cornhole, Tetris Balance and a basketball challenge. One kid was challenging anyone who walked by to Cornhole, and although the adults were winning, he was having fun. Several adults arrived on their electric bicycles, showing them off to others. The community spirit was evident, as they were thrilled the market was back.
The market had to be moved from the south beach of the lake this summer due to the extensive dredging the county is undertaking to keep the lake healthy. It took many years to get all the permits from all the required agencies for the dredging, which can only be done a couple months of the year before and after bird nesting season.
This incarnation of the market will take place about three Friday nights of each month this summer: in June on the 19th and 26th; on July 3rd before the fireworks and the next week on July 10th; the third night will be on July 31st. In August, markets nights will be held on the 14th, 21st and 28th. Labor Day weekend will have a market night on September 4th. If the weather remains nice, additional dates may be added in September. “It was nothing but a good time,” said Alex Hancock. Everyone is invited to come join the fun next week.
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