Outdoor ‘European Market’ Coming To Dundas This Weekend
On Saturday, December 21st Keepsake Cidery will host its first European-style outdoor Solstice Market offering solstice merriment, bonfires, local market vendors and their very own hard cider. The Solstice Market will open from 1:00 to 4:00pm at Keepsake Cidery in Dundas while Keepsake’s Tasting Room and Toastie Farm will be open from 12:00pm to 8:00pm for cider tasting, local bites and cider purchases. The Solstice Market is a collaboration with the Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market that will move its event from the Paradise Center for the Arts to Keepsake Cidery for this one-day event.
The Solstice Market is new this year. Last year, Keepsake hosted a Thanksgiving Market on Sunday before Thanksgiving. Keepsake Cidery owners Tracy Jonkman and Nate Watters said that it was well attended and successful for vendors, so they decided to do it again this year, as well as add the Solstice Market giving people the chance to visit the Cidery for a special event and to stock up on local cider for the holidays.
“When Keepsake owners announced that they would be hosting a Solstice Market on Saturday, December 21st, I was still confirming the details for the 2019-20 Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market,” said Tiffany Tripp, Faribault Winter Farmer’s Market Coordinator. “Typically, we would have held a Winter Market on that day at the Paradise Center for the Arts, but it seemed silly to offer two similar events on the same day so close together. This already happens many other weekends throughout the holiday season.” Tripp contacted Jonkman and Watters, owners of Keepsake Cidery about doing a joint winter market and they agreed.
The Solstice Market will be an outdoor market with a European flair. There will be outdoor bonfires and grilling happening at the same time as the market and into the evening. Vendors will set up in a heated tent located right outside of the Tasting Room where folks can go inside to grab a drink, or bite to eat, and warm-up. Over 20 vendors plan to participate in the Solstice Market offering products such as alpaca fiber products, honey, cheese, eggs, meats, local hazelnuts, baked goods, apples, fused glass, wool blankets and other finished wool products, salmon, tinctures, handmade soaps, maple syrup and so much more! All products are locally raised or made in the Cannon Valley region. Visitors can grab a glass of hard cider or hot cider to sip while they shop for local foods and gifts for the holidays.
Event Details
Saturday, December 21st, 2019
1:00 – 4:00pm Solstice Market
12:00 – 8:00pm - Tasting Room & Toastie Bar
Keepsake Cidery and Toastie Farm
4609 135th St E, Dundas, MN
About the Keepsake Cidery and Toastie Farm
Keepsake Cidery and Toastie Farm is a family owned and operated cidery, orchard and tasting room located in Dundas east of Highway 3. Owners Watters and Jonkman aim to produce delicious apples, high-quality cider from simple ingredients and time-honored methods. Cidermaker Watters is focused on creating a cider that celebrates Minnesota and that is fermented with wild yeast. At Keepsake, they don’t add commercial yeast to the cider allowing the cider to spontaneously ferment.
Jonkman and Watters started the Cidery and Tasting Room in 2014 to invite the public to visit their farm, enjoy the outdoors and taste their cider on-site where it’s made. In 2018 they expanded to the current space to include Tasting Room and Toastie Farm where people can sample cider flights, learn how the cider was made, and enjoy “toasties” or other light local foods.
Keepsake Cidery and Toastie Farm is open Friday through Sunday from June through December. December 21st will be the last day open this year. Check Keepsake’s website for times and events. For more information about Keepsake Cidery, contact Nate Watters or Tracy Jonkman at keepsakecidery@gmail.com.
About the Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market
The Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market creates a space for southern Minnesota to buy locally grown, homemade goods in the winter season while promoting small farmers and bakers that support the local community. The Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market is held at the Paradise Center for the Arts in downtown Faribault on Saturdays. Upcoming 2020 dates are:
Saturday, January 11th - 1:00 – 4:00pm
Saturday, February 8th - 1:00 – 4:00pm
Saturday, March 14th - 1:00 – 4:00pm
Saturday, April 11th - 1:00 – 4:00pm
For more information about the Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market, contact Tiffany Tripp at 507-491-8188 or faribaultwintermarket@gmail.com.
H/T Tiffany Tripp and the Faribault Winter Farmers' Market
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