NEDERLAND -  Beginning on Mother’s Day, May 11, there have been 12 Nederland Farmers Markets this year. The last one, known as Harvest Fest, was held on Sunday, October 5. It marked nearly five months of fresh healthy food made conveniently available to local mountain residents.

Personally, it meant one more opportunity to load up on heirloom tomatoes ($23 worth) for BLT sandwiches. A bag of chips and salsa verde from Tortilla Esmerelda is always on my list.

For others, it was a chance to enjoy Susan’s Samosas, a Grill Your Face breakfast burrito, delicious pastries, and a cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa.

Or perhaps your wardrobe was in need of another tie-dye t-shirt or even a sumptuous and fashionable merino wool felt hat hand-crafted by Melissa Nicholson in Rollinsville.

For early Christmas shoppers, Greg Marquez’s wooden toys made wonderful gifts for the children.

The Nederland Elementary PTA’s pumpkin patch had gourds and pumpkins in every size, shape, and color to choose from, and Peak Abundance roasted chili peppers.

Above all, as always, the Farmers Market was a relaxing and pleasant place to gather and socialize.

The progressive bluegrass band Bear Hat took the stage at 11 a.m. Their version of the Grateful Dead’s “Cumberland Blues” was a hit with everyone. Later, A-Mac & The Height performed before an enthusiastic crowd until the music wrapped up at 4 p.m.

That evening, snow fell on Nederland for the first time this fall, confirming a none-too-subtle end to the growing season.