The second edition of the 2026 Farmer’s Market in Escalon was hosted in and around the Main Street Park area on May 20. The third Wednesday of each month, April through August, features the market, which runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Taken over this year by the Escalon Lions Club, the most recent market had the majority of vendors set up along Main Street, covering an area from roughly First to Third streets, with the food court adjacent to the park and a handful of vendors in the paved area near the Main Street stage.
There were a variety of produce booths, specialty items, activities for kids, the popular Senior Bucks vouchers for senior citizens to purchase items from select vendors on site, live music and more.
Among those taking part was Crysta Villalvazo of Riverbank, who brought her Cali Valley Crystals booth in for the market. She has operated the business since 2021 and, along with the Escalon Farmer’s Market throughout the summer, will do the Tuesday Night Market events in Riverbank, every Tuesday evening during June and July.
“I just love the energy they give off,” she said of dealing in crystals. “And I love interacting with the people and seeing them get excited about all the different stones.”
Villalvazo makes many of the earrings and necklaces she sells herself and said she enjoys the atmosphere of the small, hometown events.
Also staying busy at the May 20 market was Ryan VanderHelm of Farmington, with his Green Digits Farms microgreens booth. His products were a hit, as he was sold out of nearly every variety with more than an hour remaining in the market. For this past week’s market, he had varieties including radish, broccoli, pea shoots, sunflower, fiesta mix, edible flowers and more in the microgreens.
Elsewhere, people were enjoying dinner, beverages and cool treats at the food court, some were doing taste tests at the t.banesbbqco booth from Oakdale, while others were visiting with Amanda Taylor of HomeSown Flowers out of Escalon, as she answered questions about all things flowers and planting. Chrisman Apiaries also had a booth, offering their locally produced raw honey.
There are still three more Farmer’s Market nights coming up, scheduled for June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19.
