Fun to be found at Athol Fall Farmers Festival

ATHOL — The community of Athol said goodbye to summer — and hello to fall — at the Athol Fall Farmers Festival on Friday.  

“I heard that this one was the last market of the season, so I thought, we have to go!” said Julia Holman, who brought her family to Friday’s festival. “I even got the kids out of school early.” 

More than a dozen local vendors could be found at Athol City Park, many of whom sold seasonal goods along with their usual farmers market fare.

Katrina Wilson, owner of Our Daily Bread Sourdough Bakery, offered pumpkin focaccia, cinnamon-swirled sourdough and other favorite fall flavors along with her usual organic, seed-oil-free sourdough products.

The Post Falls-based baker was more than happy to make the trip to Athol to grow her customer base as the farmers market season draws to a close.  

Other vendors offered fall-themed photo ops rather than food — including Long Mountain Meadows, a family farm that raises Highland cows in the Hoodoo Valley northwest of Athol.  

Festivalgoers had the opportunity to pose with Norman, a 7-month-old Highland cow, for photos. Norman’s photo booth was fully festive — complete with hay bales and pumpkins. 

“This is just a great opportunity to meet people and network,” said Brian Kimener, who owns and operates Long Mountain Meadows with his wife, Stephanie. “Athol is a great community with some great people.” 

The Fall Farmers Festival marked the last farmers market for the year in Athol.  

    From left: Willow Holman, Summer Holman with baby Luke, Chace Holman and Julia Holman with baby Deen pose with Norman the Highland Cow at the Athol Fall Farmers Festival.