February brought in a dash of rain so far this winter, and while we’re still in the midst of the season, it might be easy to forget that our region’s farmers markets are active at this time of year. The February Spotlight includes a rundown of our community farmers markets, which are open with winter hours, weather permitting. February also marks Black History Month, and local institutions offer a variety of programs highlighting the contributions of local and national figures to our communities, nation and world.
Click the links embedded in this story’s text for more information about the events covered. Information for this month’s Spotlight is provided by organizations and individuals in the communities covered by the North Coast Current and OsideNews.
Black History Month
Feb. 22: Oceanside Museum of Art program — The North County African American Women’s Association, Oceanside Museum of Art and Oceanside Public Library partner for this year’s Black History Month program at the museum, 704 Pier View Way, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Celebrate and explore the untold stories of Black artists who have contributed to mainstream culture in the areas of animation, film, theater and music. The free event will include a panel discussion, brief performances and refreshments. Registration is required and can be made by clicking here.
Feb. 22: Drums and Dancing with Chazz and Queen T — The Escondido Public Library presents an African drum and dance ensemble with Chazz and Teresa offering a musical peek into the world of African rhythms, songs and stories. The event runs from 10 to 11 a.m.
Now through Feb. 28: Black History Month Workshop Series — Palomar College’s Black Faculty and Staff Association has events for the remaining days of February in celebration of Black History Month. Among the series is a discussion about the Montford Point Marines on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. These Marines were the first African Americans who entered the Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1949. On Feb. 28, members of the community can learn about and make Bofrot, a sweet doughnut-like pastry from Ghana. Learn Ghana’s history and heritage while cooking up the treats. More information is available at the workshop series’ webpage.
Ongoing throughout the month: MiraCosta College displays — The MiraCosta College Library has created a series of online displays featuring items from the collections of its History and Heritage Programming. Check out the following online displays: Black History & Heritage Month and The Hill We Climb On The Pulse of Morning.
Ongoing: Oceanside Historical Society preservation efforts — The Oceanside Historical Society recognizes Black History Month through noting the contributions of local Black-owned businesses, past and present. The organization seeks the assistance of residents, civic leaders, churches and organizations in identifying residents who have owned or currently own businesses. The organization’s Celebrate Black History page highlights several of Oceanside’s Black residents. Reach the Historical Society through its online Contact page for more information.
Farmers markets
Encinitas: The city has two farmers markets highlighting the unique nature of its individual communities. The Cardiff Farmer’s Market, sponsored by Cardiff 101 Main Street and located at the Mira Costa College campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has international food offerings, plant sales and a variety of vendors. The Leucadia Farmers Market, sponsored by Leucadia 101 Main Street, runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paul Ecke Central School, 185 Union St. The Leucadia market has more than 30 certified growers, 10 certified organic growers, and more than 70 vendors.
Carlsbad: The State Street Farmers’ Market is a Carlsbad Village staple, currently running winter hours from 2:30 to 6 p.m. through early March. For the holidays, the market will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and it will reopen Jan. 8. The market is located at State Street between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue. Sponsored by the Carlsbad Village Association, the market focuses on fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, nuts and honey. Fresh flowers and plants are also a big part of the market. Artisan food vendors offer such goodies as bread, granola, yogurt, bone broth, kombucha, fudge and cookies.
Oceanside: Like Encinitas, Oceanside has two markets, in this case highlighting morning and afternoon into the evening. The Oceanside Morning Farmers Market is held Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year. The market offers a variety of local produce, gourmet foods including artisan baked goods, organic honey, salsa and chips, dips and sauces, olives and olive oil, as well as floral and plant sales. The Sunset Market runs Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and features about 200 merchants. The market spans four city blocks on Pier View Way west of Coast Highway. The Sunset Market includes children’s activities including Dorothy’s KidZone. Both markets are sponsored by MainStreet Oceanside.
Oceanside: North County Fishermen’s Market — Head to Oceanside Harbor, 401 Riverside Drive, on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet the local fishing community while shopping for local fish and seafood. Visitors can find fresh-caught markets that help supply Oceanside eateries with seafood. Follow the market’s schedule on its Instagram page, and go to the market’s website at fishermensmarket.co for a list of the kinds of seafood sold.
San Marcos: The open-air San Marcos Farmers Market is held in the growing North City area near California State University San Marcos and is held Tuesdays with winter season hours of 3 to 6 p.m. The market can be found off Twin Oaks Valley Road at 251 N. City Drive. Visitors can find a variety of vendors offering local fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh flowers, local honey, bread, eggs, yogurt, Kombucha, and artisan-packaged foods and specialty prepared hot foods.
Vista: The Vista Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, rain or shine. at the San Diego County Courthouse, 345 South Melrose Drive. The event is made up of five marketplaces — Food Specialties, consisting of foodmakers and farmers who produce what they sell; Certified Farmers Market, where farmers sell what they grow and benefit from being in a Certified Farmers Market; Worlds Fare, which serves foods from ethnic traditions around the world; Artisans Marketplace, which features local entrepreneurs who sell what they make; and the Gardeners Market, where farmers and craft makers sell items for your garden, from plants and pots to soil amendments.
Also in North County: The Solana Beach Farmers Market is open Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cedros Design District, 444 S. Cedros Ave. The Del Mar Farmers Market runs Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Del Mar Civic Center, 1050 Camino Del Mar. Free parking is available in the nearby garage. The Escondido Arts Partnership operates the Escondido Certified Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. until sunset at Heritage Garden Park in Downtown Escondido along Juniper Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway. Also in Escondido, the Hidden Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce, baked goods and local products Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 123 Woodward Ave., near Grape Day Park and James Stone Pool.
Submit events for publication to the North Coast Current and OsideNews at currentevents[at]northcoastcurrent.com.