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Tehachapi's weekly Farmer's Market is always a fun activity in the summers around here, and I love going to see all the produce and craft booths. Our market usually runs from May or June through August or September, in the late afternoon and early evening.

Other cities have farmer's markets that run year-round at different times. Bakersfield is one of those cities and actually, they offer a couple of different markets. My friend Leila and I decided to check out the Hagen Oaks Farmer's Market a couple of Sundays ago.

It was a perfect day to go, overcast but no rain or snow, and the temp was 54 degrees when we were there. The drive down to Bakersfield was lovely too, I might add, as the hills are turning so green from all the recent precipitation.

The market itself was a delightful find, in an L-shaped layout around the corner of the Kaiser facility. We were surprised at how easily we found parking, and how many booths there were in the market. Not to mention how many people, like us, who were there just to enjoy the setting and shop the offerings from farmers, food vendors, and crafters alike.

In addition to the produce booths there was lots of stuff to eat on the spot. A variety of food booths offered everything from pizza to tamales to oysters to desserts to everything in between. Note: there was nowhere to sit and eat, even near the food booths – tall stand-at tables were few and far between.

Several food booths also offered, among other things, nuts and candies, homemade peanut butter and keto free treats.

Craft booths were also in abundance and also offered a variety of wares, including but not limited to African baskets, t-shirts, collectibles, jewelry, dog treats and plants.

Leila and I had great fun checking out all the booths (and eating delicious keto dessert bars) and talking to different vendors and other visitors. We did find one empty bench to rest a bit and people-watch (there were plenty of people to watch, but it never seemed too crowded).

The market is held at the corner of Ming and Hagen Oaks Boulevard (in the 8900 block of Ming, in the Kaiser parking lot), every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There's plenty of parking and it's all accessible as it's on the paved surfaces. Be aware, though, I didn't see any restrooms or porta potties. There is no cost to walk through the market.

If you go, be aware that you cannot exit onto Ming from the 99 anymore. I took the 58 to the 99 and then had to go on down to White Lane to exit. I took White Lane west to Gosford, then back over (north) to Ming. A few short blocks west on Ming I found the market – you can't miss all the white tent tops and people.

An alternative way to get there is to exit from the 58 onto Union or Chester and go south to Ming, then west to the market.

Mel Makaw.

Citrus, produce and other groceries are offered at the Hagen Oaks Farmers Market.

After we left the Hagen Oaks Market, we drove back east on Ming and stopped at the Golden Corral for a late lunch (and a place to sit down while we ate). It's one of my favorite places to eat, and it seems I'm not alone – the place was packed on a Sunday afternoon but there was plenty of food to go around!

All in all, it was a great little day trip and one I plan to repeat this spring before it gets too hot in Bakersfield. The produce will change with the seasons and who knows what other vendors may show up on any given Sunday.

© 2023 Mel Makaw. Mel, Tehachapi writer/photographer and avid day tripper welcomes your questions, comments, and suggestions at morningland@msn.com.