Rigaud market kicks off second season

The Marché champêtre de Rigaud debuted its second season on June 6 and will run each Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., until October 10.

More than 20,000 visitors shopped at the outdoor location last year and organizers say they hope to beat those numbers this year as the market become better known in the region.

The Friday night market offers a festive air and a place for people to stock up and “meet and greet” before the weekend, say participants.

“We’re focusing on the aspect of the old days with the local grower coming to sell his things and the community getting together at the end of the week,” Claude Lebel, market coordinator, said.

As many as 20 farmers and food producers from the region will offer goods such as fresh cheeses, honey, breads, strawberries and fruit, preservative free jams and jellies, ground grown cherries, beef, fudge, lambs’ meat, pepper sauces, and more.

Exotic goods such as pintade, or African Guinea fowl meat, hydromel, a honey flavoured liquor, and more will also be available, while Lebel promises a few surprises each week.

And the market has added outdoor entertainment this year that will take place each week at the Park Desjardins stage. Shows, which begin in July, will feature quiet entertainment like comedians, hypnotists, low-key musicians and such that Lebel promises will not detract from the overall market atmosphere.

The Marché champêtre de Rigaud runs each Friday from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., at the corner of rue Saint-Viateur and rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Rigaud.

For more information go to: www.marchechampetrerigaud.com