The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market will be open September 30, 2017, on North Seventh Street, from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, and this week we have a very special guest, the Amelia Island Museum of History. Next door to the farmers market, in the bank’s parking lot at the corner of Centre and Eighth Streets, the Museum will be hosting Fiesta de Santa Maria in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month which “recognizes the role of Hispanic-Americans in shaping Florida today.” Several of the vendors in the farmers market will be decorating their booths with a Hispanic theme in hopes of winning the Best Decorated Booth Contest and a chance to receive one free rental space.

Dennis Fermin, our Spanish guitarist, will be strumming in the farmers market and the Fiesta de Santa Maria will have music by El Conjunto Tropical. There will be re-enactors, and dance performances by Ballroom on Amelia, Royal Amelia Dance Academy, and Bean’s School of Dance. Look for demonstrations by Centered on Yoga, Beat Fitness, and Flamenco Dancer Margarita Dodd Uricoechea. They will also have craft booths and Spanish flavored food. Originally conceived by the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce, this event hopes to continue the tradition of highlighting the impact that the Hispanic community has had on our area.

To continue the celebration in the farmers market, Sugar Flour Pastries is making dulce de leche and Aztec chocolate ice cream with cayenne, cinnamon, and almonds. Golden Olive Press will be offering specials on their Spanish oils, and Natural Springs Dairy will have pepper Jack, smoked gouda, mozzarella, and blue cheese crumbles. Honey soaps should be back in stock at the Cross Creek Honey booth, and Lulu’s at the Thompson House will be returning with their crab cakes and pimento cheese spreads.

We hope you can join us downtown as we celebrate our Latin connection.