ALBUQUERQUE, NM – This weekend, February 14 and 15, the Barelas Rail Yard’s Market and Bernalillo County Commission District 2 are holding their annual Valentine’s Day themed Farmer’s Market.
From 10a.m.-4p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the Rail Yards on 1st Street will be filled with local vendors, live music, hearts, and festive atmosphere.
The Rail Yards’ regular Sunday Farmer’s Market is inactive in February due to the cold weather but usually occurs every weekend from May to October. During the months without the Sunday Farmer’s Market, holiday events such as this weekend’s Valentine’s Market give Albuquerque residents somewhere to go and support local businesses.
According to their website, Railyardsmarket.org, they are entirely non-profit. The community and organizers have been holding the Farmer’s Market, among other events, since 2014.
The website gives readers a look into the background of the Rail Yard’s Market, and it also provides information about vendors participating in the Markets, as well as links to follow if a business wants to become a vendor.
In addition to their website, perhaps a more youth-accessible platform, Rail Yard’s Market Instagram profile posts about upcoming events and what to expect.
In anticipation for this weekend, the Instagram page has posted a list of activities and events, tagging accounts they are partnering with, and ramping up excitement.
They have shared that there will be a Kids Zone with crafts and coloring pages, Pet Adoptions with BernCo Animal Care Services, tours of the Rail Yards, and live music.
The Market Experience
UPDATED MONDAY, FEB. 16 – On Sunday, despite it being the day after Valentine’s, the Rail Yards were still bustling with people, vendors, food, and music.
Local vendors lining the walkway were brightly filling the space with handmade decor and baked goods. Other booths had clothing, stickers, and many festive trinkets for the holiday.
The main entrance had food trucks outside, including Bing Tea, a well-known boba-tea and dessert truck. There was a large display with life-size version of candy conversation hearts with couples and friends using available props to take photos.
The Rail Yards are a unique place to invite people to support local business and cultivate an experience you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
If you missed the Valentine’s Day Market, don’t worry! The Rail Yards Market hosts many events every year. Their social media and their website are always up to date with upcoming events to check out and support. And, as always, their Sunday Farmer’s Market will begin again in May and run through October, every week from 10a.m. to 2p.m.