A family participates in the SoWa Spooktacular Costume Contest on Oct. 28, 2018. Photo by Meaghan Tao / BU News Service
By Meaghan T’Ao
BU News Service
BOSTON— Sunday, Oct. 28 marked the end of the SoWa Open Market season, with the SoWa Spooktacular 2018. In addition to the regular range of local artisans, farmers and brewers setting up shop, the Halloween bash also included a costume contest, as well as face painting and pumpkin painting.
The open market was split into two distinct sections: the artisan and the food section. On Sunday, the artisan section featured some of the usual suspects, with artists and creators selling everything from handmade jewelry and prints to knitwear and candles.
Lauren Cooney, of the Drift Collective shop, was one of these vendors. Her shop specializes in repurposed clothing, which is selected from second-hand stores. The clothes are then meticulously screen-printed, stitched, hand-dyed or acid-washed to create the new design.
“We want to keep the environment safe,” she said. “We have a ‘Plastic Killz’ campaign with the Blue Ocean Society, where we donate our profits— whatever sells— to them.”
“SoWa has been super fun, it’s a good place to shop and see different things. Everything here— a lot of it is handmade, so it’s nice to support the local artists and community,” said Cooney.
Over on the other side of the market, vendors were hawking a wide array of kitchenware, food, drinks and snacks. In addition to the bakeries and farm-fresh groceries that are fixtures at every open market, vendors, imbued with the spirit of the season, sold hot apple cider, pumpkins and Halloween-themed food.
Hannah Kimball is the cook at Doves and Figs, a local company based in Arlington. They sell jams, chutneys and mustards. They have been in business for approximately six years.
“I’ve only been a part of the company for about a year, but it’s honestly one of the best I’ve worked for,” said Kimball. Like Cooney, she only had good things to say about the market.
“There’s always someone interesting around and tons of dogs and kids. All the vendors here are great and they do a good job of selecting who gets to come here.”
Although the open market season has ended, those who want in on the action can look forward to SoWa’s annual Winter Festival in early December, or visit the SoWa Vintage market, located just a short walk from the open market. It is open year-round and boasts a diverse range of wares, from antique jewelry and clothing to accessories and furniture, records and other home goods.
