MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market will be moving to 339 North Main St. on Saturday, where it has found its home for the winter, according to Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. The new location is adjacent to the former NAPA store.

The space is owned by Mark Zambito and currently houses Phantom Cutz and Schon Haus hair salon, both in the front suites. Customers may access the market through the center doors on North Main Street. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mark for allowing us to use this space for the winter,” Busch said. “Without it, there’d be no winter market.”

Busch shared exciting news about redevelopment at the current site of the summer market at West Center Street and West Avenue.

In 2024, a successful grant of $4.5 million was awarded by New York State to the village of Medina, of which $725,000 was allotted for this exciting and transformative redevelopment of the entire market site, Busch said.

“With luck, we may not need to move for winter next year,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “While we have a few things left to do, we’re hoping to see construction start next year.”

The site was once a drive-in bank. Once completed, the new facility will provide the market with year-round conditioned space and the ability for expanded hours and offerings.

“We’re very lucky to have Canal Village Farmers’ Market year-round,” Busch said. “To make that happen, it takes generous volunteers and benefactors who believe in its importance to the community.”

In addition to a dedicated core of volunteers, Busch said the market also benefits from generous community sponsorship from Takeform, WSM Elder Law, Gardner’s Citgo and Berkshire Hathaway-Zambito Realtors, who lend financial support to the operation.

The market has operated at its summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue since 2015, under the auspices of the Orleans Renaissance Group.

“When the new facility is complete, it will usher in a new chapter on that corner, not only for the market, but for the site, downtown and the community,” Busch said. “A bigger, better expanded market with a site than supports community activities, will be a new hub for downtown.”

The winter market will continue to have its usual core vendors, offering local meat, vegetables, honey, baked goods, micro greens and a variety of crats and art merchandise. Weekly market updates can be found on Facebook at “Canal Village Farmers’ Market.”

Additional information about the market or any of its features is available by e-mailing Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Natalie Barnard, 18, of Albion gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman during today’s Day of the Dead celebration at the Orleans County 4-H fairgrounds.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council organized the event which celebrated Mexican culture and traditions for a Día de los Muertos.

Jodi Fisher of GO Art! was busy in the kitchen as soon as the doors opened for the festival at 11 a.m. She is serving chicken tinga tostadas with crisp corn tortillas layered with spicy shredded chicken.

There was an ofrenda, which is an altar. People were encouraged to leave notes or mementoes for departed loved ones.

People left messages for family members and other loved ones who have passed away.

This note was left in honor of Dolores Huerta, who died on Oct. 28 in Bakersfield, Calif. at age 96. She was an iconic leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union. She was also known for her enduring rallying cry “Sí, se puede!” — which translates to “Yes, it can be done!”

Diana Bueno wore calavera makeup. The Day of the Dead isn’t a sad representation of death. Instead calaveras and other displays are brightly colored and decorated to show that life and memory continue past death.

The festival was free to attend. Participants were welcome to create colorful works inspired by Mexican art and Día de los Muertos traditions, including tissue-paper marigolds, La Catrina dolls, Mexican-inspired tile art, monarch butterfly art, calavera (sugar skull) masks and alebrije-inspired creatures.

A La Catrina doll is on display next to a screen that showed previously produced videos highlighting the holiday’s traditions and cultural significance. The Day of Dead last year was held at the Medina Triennial and previously was at the YMCA in Medina.

Giant puppets were part of the celebration for Día de los Muertos.