words and photos by Lige Menard
May is the perpetual spring time month of the eternal maternal, whose name originates from the Roman goddess, Maia. The daughter of Atlas and the mother of Hermes, Maia lived out most of her days caring for the flowers that lived on the hard back of her mountainous father. She would find rest deep within a cave so she could be closer to the heart and warmed by the womb of the great mother, Gaia. My own romantic heart wants to believe it was the divine hand of Maia Gaia, Mother Earth, that directed my children and I to the Boomtown Market at Pour Brothers Brewery on the eighth of May.
Just one day before Mother’s Day, we set out on a family quest to procure thoughtful and heartfelt gifts for the belly-caves in our lives. Considering the large number of children I have and the multiple mothers they keep, this was a large gift-net to cast indeed! Instead of traipsing around town and burning daylight going from boutique to boutique we fanned out and canvased the Market’s grounds.
The Boomtown Market is a monthly pop-up flea market with dozens of vendors, live music, games, food trucks and hoppie fresh craft beer straight from the source. It’s a multicultural scene of family fun with a diverse collection of goods and wares being sold at very affordable pricing. From hand made candles, cakes, and soaps to cutlery, jerky, and duck calls man oh man do they have something for everyone. There was even a vendor who for real, had whirligigs! Two personal favorite vendors were Karmas Creations and Stellar Trading Co. Karma for its medicine and Stellar for its artwork. I look forward to next month’s Market because there was just too much to take on in one day. Me and mine cleared out with succulents, soaps, balms, michelada, clothing, and a work of art by Monica Arias. To speak truth, the experience of the moment and the quality and beauty of the gifts we found, really added something to the expressions of our maternal gratitude that just can’t be store bought. I thank you Pour Brothers Brewery.