With autumn colours already starting to appear and summer’s relaxing breezes fading to memory, like sunlight refracting off water, packing up and preparing the camp for winter comes to mind. Many of the activities that make summer in Huntsville and the area such a delight are also coming to a close for the season. Farmer’s Markets, with their intoxicating mix of fresh foods, artisan crafts, and music, are slowly finalizing their 2024 season.
Live music performances have become increasingly intrinsic to the market experience. Unlike ticketed events, market goers rarely get to know the musicians who add rare spice to the pleasure found visiting the numerous markets happening throughout the summer and fall in the Huntsville area.
Musicians who play at farmers’ markets are often booked year after year, giving a market continuity. Like returning vendors, musicians are part of the atmospheric soundtrack of moving from stall to stall, finding all the interesting treasures that markets alone have to offer—something completely unique.
In this Sound & Sight feature, it seemed like an opportunity to highlight a few of the local musicians you are likely to encounter at various area markets on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, at this time, the Huntsville Farmers’ Market held at the Fair Grounds (formerly in the Canadian Tire parking lot) every Thursday does not feature music acts but Dwight, Bracebridge, Magnetawan, and Rosseau do.
Performing in a market setting is a blend of several skill sets. First, musicians need to know a wide range of songs, from pop to folk blues to traditional. Secondly, they have to shine but not overwhelm — browsing the market is the primary intent of the event. Crowds flock to better-known vendors (meats, cheeses, and fresh produce) but often leisurely explore others. Thirdly, they must often provide intimate song presentations—up close and personal, to customers and children who sit and watch them play.
The Rosseau Farmers’ Market is one of the more prominent in Muskoka. Their sheltered stage accommodates bands and smaller acts. Established in 1999, its core belief is that markets promote accessibility to locally grown foods and support for artists and artisans, sustaining local food production and critical livelihoods for artists. Rosseau prides itself on maintaining the highest-level quality from vendors to music acts. Held every Friday in a beautiful lakefront setting, several outstanding Huntsville musicians have performed yearly, including Sean Cotton, songwriter, producer, and band leader. Tobin Spring, perhaps one of the best blues rock guitarists in Huntsville, is also a regular act at the Rosseau market.
Jim Allen
Included in the Rosseau market lineup this year was Karla Crawford, from Midland, who works in a duo with Glenn Bladon, Huntsville guitarist, vocalist, and the musical director for the long-running stage show at Deerhurst. Rosseau closes on September 13th, 2024.
Bracebridge Farmers’ Market, located at Memorial Park on Manitoba Street, runs from June 1 to October 12, 2024, on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. It has a reputation for being an engaging and fun event. Michael Philips (Mighty Lopez) has appeared there for years. Phillips is an endless walking encyclopedia of song, effortlessly transitioning from old rock to rare country tunes. Market newcomers are Leah Leslie from Huntsville and Neil Hutchinson. Hutchinson, a Bracebridge native, is a folk musician shaped and honed in Gordon Lightfoot’s extraordinary compositions.
Hutchinson, a prodigious songwriter and advocate for social awareness with a background in environmental sciences, is passionate about songs that present insights into the beauty, wonder, vulnerability, and how incredibly valuable this amazing country of Canada is. Hutchinson has some remarkable recorded music available on most of his dates.
Dwight Farmers’ Market is a growing and particularly successful market that ended Wednesday, August 28th, 2024. This year’s lineup included Sean Cotton, James Gray, Tobin Spring, and Charlie McKittrick, who brings another level to his shows throughout Muskoka. McKittrick has become a regular this summer, clearly for his upbeat, charming sets. Dwight will also host the Fall Harvest Market on September 21st from 10:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Magnetawan Farmers’ Market, which has been in action for almost 30 years, takes place at the Lions Pavilion at the Community Centre in Magnetawan every summer on Saturdays from 10 am to 1:00 pm, from May 21 – to Thanksgiving Saturday. Magnetawan has music throughout its long season and features an exciting, eclectic brew of musicians.
One of the more original players featured frequently at Magnetawan is Jim Allen, a blues purist who specializes in fingerstyle acoustic guitar and harmonica. Allen is a living, deep-dive into Delta and Country blues, offering rarified versions of some of the oldest music collections on record. Jim has a long background in theatre arts, which engaged him for many years in local theatre groups, specifically in Parry Sound.
Glenn Reid and Marion Linton are market favourites with their scintillating, virtuosic display of traditional and contemporary song choices. Guitarist and vocalist Glenn Reid is a much-revered songwriter from Burk’s Falls. Reid is an accomplished recording and touring artist; he was a regular performer on television programs such as Singalong Jubilee, The Harry Hibbs Show, and the George Hamilton IV Show as a guest performer and Assistant Music Director. Reid is also a masterclass luthier who has fashioned hundreds of instruments, including banjos, mandolas, mandolins, and guitars.
Marion Linton is a much sought-after violinist who performed for years in some of the best bluegrass bands in Canada, including the Emory Lester Set. Lester is considered one of the foremost exponents of the acoustic mandolin. Linton plays with unparalleled tone and quality. An avid multi-instrumentalist, equally talented on piano, violin, and guitar, Marion is a gifted composer in multiple genres, including her much-beloved jazz instrumentals. Marion has performed on many local recordings, including Christina Hutt’s debut, James Gray, Douglas Eldon McLean, and others.
You never know what you’ll find at any of the regional Farmers’ Markets, but one thing you will find is the highest quality of musicianship available, both in originality and talent.
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The Real Person!
The Real Person!
As usual, Douglass McLean has his finger on the button of promoting local musicians and live music.
What he’ll never mention is that he is a fine musician himself.
George young says
Sounds like the Huntsville Farmers Market needs to get with the program
Patti Paul says
Thanks for promoting the Farmers Markets of the area Doug and the musicians who entertain while they are going on. Music makes life just so much more enjoyable! You can sit and listen or sing along – move your body and feel the vibes! Magnetawan has Doug McLean and his violin playing wife as often as we can as well! See you at the Mag Market!!