Autumn Saturdays in Madison often begin with tuned trumpets and tubas, a boisterous drumline and beaming cheerleaders. Yet for me, Saturdays in Madison begin before the first note of “On Wisconsin” is played, and instead with a long walk down State Street — the Capitol straight ahead. My destination isn’t the impressive arch that welcomes thousands of fans to the historic Camp Randall. Instead, it’s another local place of deep-rooted gathering and tradition: the Dane County Farmers’ Market.
Often overlooked by a stadium energetically jumping around, the farmers’ market is where diverse Madison culture and tradition remain on display.
To enter the market, you must merge your way into the flock of university students, parents and children, young and old, all eager to see what the 150 plus vendors have to offer. The flow of traffic rhythmically walks around the square like fish traveling upstream, their schools all moving intently, in one direction and with one purpose. Here, around Capitol Square, my purpose is to investigate the square to see what bouquet of flowers, loaf of bread or bottle of honey will come home with me.
What enhances the culture of the market is its producer-only rule. All the items I examine on display are produced by the vendors who stand proudly behind them. Additionally, the products are grown, raised and produced around the state of Wisconsin.
Badger football games remain largely student-based. Traditions guarantee that red-and-white-striped bibs will fill the crowd, and fists will pump enthusiastically, chanting “u-rah-rah.” I love celebrating my time on earth with 14,000 of my peers in Camp Randall’s student section, and when the Badgers are on the field, they have my unwavering support.
But Madison is more than a school and more than just a team.
The roughly 240,000 other Madison citizens who are not students at the university surely have traditions of their own, too. Traditions, for example, such as street musicians and local bands, who would get drowned out by our rattling keys as the Badgers kick off, are able to flourish during their performances outside of the Capitol. And the beautifully painted gourds that convince me to stop and admire their detailed brush strokes week after week would be hidden the second the wave made its journey around the stadium crowd.
Yes, Badger pride shines bright inside of Camp Randall, but the farmer’s market shines the spotlight on the rest of what Madison can offer.
Culture at the farmer’s market means something different to almost every vendor. To some, our state symbols are on full display: Wisconsin dairy-produced cheeses, popcorn kernels and Kringels scattered on all four corners of the market.
Yet to others, culture is more personal. For instance, while marching around the square a few weeks ago, I wasn’t intrigued by the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd I found myself in, nor did I pay any attention to the thousands of first-time marketeers with jaws open in awe. Instead, a family’s tradition stood out to me. I noticed a young boy helping his mom hand out beautiful bouquets of dahlias. Red, pink and orange were the dahlias, but their colors all blurred at the speed this young boy was handing them out, a smile glued to his face as he stood beside his mom.
Culture in Wisconsin can mean cheese curds or a polka band playing enthusiastically. But in Madison, on Saturday mornings, it can also mean a family tradition.
It would be inaccurate to say the only traditions at the farmer’s market come from behind the vendors’ tents when there are 20,000 people all resetting their week in the same way that I am, and all with their own culture. Some choose to hold signs urging others to vote on the east side of the Capitol. Over on the west corner, debates regarding evolution occur. Move to the north, and you can sign up for the Sierra Club. Fall back to the south end, and there’s a free Bible waiting to be handed out to you. Additionally, the tattoos, graphic tees and choice of flip-flops or tennis shoes, walking around smelling candles and tasting produce all have their very own culture on display.
Sure, if you’re looking for Badger culture on a Saturday, then, without a doubt, Camp Randall is the place to be. But the diverse styles, products and culture on display every week at the farmer’s market are nowhere to be found in section L of Camp Randall.
That’s the beauty of the farmer’s market — it’s a weekly occurrence. It's a few hours to escape the due dates, grade changes and to-do lists that come with being a student. It’s a constant that reminds me time and time again why I chose Madison.
Most importantly, it’s a place to experience how much more culture the city of Madison has to offer outside of the invisible walls of our campus. If you’re looking for Madison culture rather than just Badger culture, then take off your badgeralls and replace them with overalls next Saturday at the farmers’ market.
Oscar Danz is a sophomore studying journalism and science communication. Do you agree the farmer's market is a better cultural representation of Madison than the football games? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
