If you happen to go down to the Saturday Farmers' Market out on Ocean Drive, you'll find one of the most rewarding aspects goes beyond the vegetables and treasures you bring home. There also is the intangible joy of seeing the kids dancing wildly to a local musician, running into friends and seeing families mingling in the aisles.

I can't count how many people at the market simply tell me, "This is so fun."

This year the kids have their own booth for selling items they make on top of all the other acrobatics they do, food they make and crafts they put together throughout the day. They even plan their own talent show. The kids will drop everything though when the music starts. No matter who the musician is, they are guaranteed to inspire dancing and clapping.

While the kids are running around breathless, mothers can take advantage of their WIC coupons to buy the freshest vegetables in town. Discerning shoppers may prefer to look for the labels for Certified Naturally Grown produce. Others may be there to get the fresh shrimp or oysters. Many wandering the aisles may be looking for a gift or waiting for their bike tune-up.

This collage is what true community is built from. You see it at the market every Saturday. Wouldn't it be great if all aspects of our lives could so gracefully integrate food, fun and family, leaving no one out, rain or shine?

Next week the market starts running on Wednesday afternoons as well as Saturdays, so there will be more chances to get what you're looking for.

If you would like to have more information about what is available this week at the Homer Farmers' Market or to sign up for the market newsletter, check out the Web site at www.homerfarmersmarket.org.

Kyra Wagner is the director of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers' Market's biggest fan. She can be reached at kyra@sustainablehomer.org.