The Troy Farmers Market is celebrating 25 years of providing New York’s capitol region with the finest and freshest farms have to offer. From hundreds of vendors and artisans coming in from a 50 mile radius, there’s no reason to leave this expansive Saturday market empty-handed. As one of the largest markets in the state, one that remains outdoors until November, and runs all year long, the Troy Farmers Markets keeps locals connected to THE source.

Vegetables and flowers, meat and seafood, baked goods, flowers, and crafts are all at the ready for a family meal or weekend dinner party. You can even just go to enjoy a Saturday afternoon; there’s live music the entire day, and plenty to feast your eyes on while you stroll around.

On a recent family trek around Troy, we spent breakfast to lunch weaving in and out of every stall, table, and stand absorbing what felt like the largest market we had ever visited. And, except for a pit stop at the Arts Center of the Capital Region to pass a quiet moment (and use the loo), we’re certain we checked out every vendor and marveled at the bounty available within one Saturday display. We also spent a little extra time to get to know some of the farmers and artisans, whose dedication is humbling; it’s something that serves as a good reminder to not only continue to buy local, but stop for a minute to recognize their endless hard work.

And, we not only purchased goodies to take home for the rest of the weekend, we enjoyed hot and cold treats all along River Street. A Mushroom, Nopales Tamale with prickly pear and cactus with salsa verde from “Grammy’s Tamales” ; the BEST cortados and lattes from Alias Coffee; ultra sweet and addicting bites from Goodway Rum Cakes; refreshing ‘booch from Junbucha out of Saratoga Springs; even German fare from Vermont Spätzle Company, apparently the only gluten-free, no boil, non-gmo spätzle in the world

Can we talk about the dogs? If you are anything like me, I get very distracted by every dog and pursue them until they become my best friend. If it is not food or flowers that gets my attention, it will always be the dogs. From every shape, size, and breed they too are on display competing with farm stands for air time, and are adorned, quite likely, in accoutrements from a nearby Hudson Valley boutique. In all seriousness though, dogs are welcomed but they must be behaved (check the market’s full policy) and, once the market goes indoors, only service dogs are allowed.

There’s no question, the Troy Farmers Market has something for everyone. And, in addition to its iconic wares on display every Saturday afternoon, there’s more than enough to fill your post-market agenda. After a stroll along the Hudson, and a much needed nap, we drooled over DeFazio’s Pizza (legendary for a reason), walked through Washington Park where “The Gilded Age” is filmed, then caught a few live bands over at the recently revived Twisted Fiddler.

A day at Troy Farmers Market is an unrivaled experience, and one I hope you get to very soon. When you do, pass me a comment and let me know what filled your basket.