When most people think of Saturday, they think of Moe’s Southwest Grill or juuling. I think of the Cobblestone Farmers Market.

Every week, I look forward to two major events: one being the legendary Thirsty Thursday at Last Resort and the other being the farmers market. While there is slightly less dancing and music at the market, there is just as much joy and love, as well as some beautiful produce and the amazing Updog Kombucha.

I wake up every Saturday around 8:30 a.m., maybe later depending on the previous night’s activities, but sooner or later I find myself in Old Salem surrounded by smiles and dogs. The market goes on year-round, rain or shine, and all sorts of Winston-Salemites find their way there.

Right at 9 a.m., either the market manager or a young child rings the bell and selling starts. For the next three hours, thousands of local residents visit for a multitude of reasons.

While some come right at 9 a.m. ready to buy, others mingle in to casually explore the market. Often, a local musician is playing some smooth morning tunes and people walk around sipping their kombucha and biting into the pastries from Camino, Kranckies or Lavender & Honey.

By 12 p.m., the vendors are packing up and produce is dwindling. The bell rings once again and everyone cleans up yet another market. Vendors socialize and talk of the day as they briskly pack their vehicles. Now, we wait yet another week for another eventful morning spent being connected to our fellow people.

I was introduced to the market through volunteering with Campus Kitchen on campus. From there, I got to know both the vendors and the market staff. I am truly lucky to consider many of them friends and a couple of them close friends. I look forward to updating Ariana with one of my many crushes or snacking on pickled goods with Niki.

The market is more than a “market” to me; it is a way for me to connect with the community. It is a way for me to get off campus, and volunteering for a great market has made the Winston-Salem community closer.

Farmers markets do this; they enable us as people to socialize and get to know our fellow people. Next Saturday, think about driving down to Old Salem. Think about not just getting into the Winston-Salem community, but connecting with the people in it.