From pony rides to bees, the Saugerties Farmers’ Market last week offered animals of all sizes and breeds for marketgoers to enjoy.
Stone Haven Stables had a continuous lineup of kids for its pony rides, which took kids most of the length of the Cow Flop meadow off Main Street. Anita Barbour’s arts table, where kids were encouraged to draw inspired versions of insect life, drew a small contingent, and face-painter Maggie Green had a constant parade of canvasses on which to paint, and much of her art work was on display throughout the market.
But what drew the biggest crowd of youngsters was the petting zoo, with small creatures from rabbits to chicks and from Gila monsters to tortoises for the kids to pick up, examine or cuddle. The lineup of farm tractors, which the kids could sit on, was also popular. Cedar Novak, trying to turn the steering wheel of a stationary tractor, struggled to get movement, but enjoyed sitting up on the machine anyway.
Ray Mayonne, whose horses pull wagonloads of kids during holiday parades, brought a donkey and a mule to the market. “I thought I’d let people see something different this year,” he said. A donkey is a natural species, while a mule – produced by breeding a horse with a donkey – cannot reproduce.
Entertainment was provided by guitarist-singer Ron Renninger. Several food vendors expanded their stock to include walk-away snacks for the larger-than-usual crowds.
The market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through October 29, across the street from Cahill Elementary School on Market Street.
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