With music playing, children frolicking and fresh food at oneB次元官网网址檚 fingertips, the Goldstream Station Market has all the key ingredients for a fun Saturday in the park.

In its first year operating out of VeteranB次元官网网址檚 Memorial Park in Langford, the eight-year-old market is proving that changing locations can be a good thing.

B次元官网网址淲hat I like the most is there feels like thereB次元官网网址檚 so much a sense of community there,B次元官网网址� says market manager Kate King, whoB次元官网网址檚 in her first year in the job. B次元官网网址淚t just seems like such a positive place. Everybody there is having a good time and the vendors are great.B次元官网网址�

Roughly 80 different vendors, mostly local farmers and artisans, have set up stalls at the market at one time or another this year, which King says is an all-time high.

It has become a place where many West Shore residents come to stock up on their produce and other fresh foods for the week, she adds.

B次元官网网址淲e try to stick to our mandate. We have so much variety there and everything is either homemade, homegrown or handmade. YouB次元官网网址檙e not walking into a flea market.B次元官网网址�

Such is the reputation of the market that new vendors are inquiring almost daily about getting involved. ItB次元官网网址檚 largely through word of mouth from other vendors, King says.

Colwood resident Paul Young, whose PaulB次元官网网址檚 Plants stand was a stalwart at the Metchosin farmerB次元官网网址檚 market the past two years, is in his first year selling homegrown herbs and decorative plants at the Goldstream market.

He grows in his home garden all of the plants he has for sale, including such herbs as mint, basil, oregano and lavender.

Young does his best to bring out plants that most people may not have seen before, as a way to introduce customers to something new for their palate.

While he admits he doesnB次元官网网址檛 make much money, he enjoys the camaraderie with customers and fellow merchants alike.

B次元官网网址淢ore than anything itB次元官网网址檚 for the joy of it. I talk to people about gardening, which I love. ItB次元官网网址檚 a great way to spend several hours in the day,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tough thing (selling) plants, but the people who sell the baked goods and fresh produce do really really well.B次元官网网址�

King says the park has proven to be a wonderful setting for the market, one that accommodates the whole family.

B次元官网网址淚t is a great place to just unplug and get connected with your community.B次元官网网址�

The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 25.

For more information, visit .

editor@goldstreamgazette.com