Chelsea Bossert/Daily Mining Gazette Under blue skies, artists, musicians, crafters and food vendors offered something for the many patrons at the Flower Moon market Sunday in Hancock

HANCOCK — Under pleasant weather conditions and the spirit of a holiday weekend, the Flower Moon Spring Market was held on Sunday in Hancock.

Flower Moon saw local artists, farmers, musicians and vendors gather on Quincy Green in downtown Hancock to celebrate creativity, community and each other.

The market consisted of numerous tents and tables. From fresh produce and home-grown flowers, to handmade jewelry, prints and clothing — Flower Moon had something for anyone looking to support small artisans in the Keweenaw.

Ashley Tenharmsel, who helps run North Harvest CSA out of Calumet, said Flower Moon gave small business owners the spotlight, especially in a market dominated by bigger chain stores.

“There are so many people that do run small businesses up here and it can be very hard to compete with the big box stores,” she said. “So, to be able to set up a booth, have a tent, keep the cost low, yet have a lot of food traffic … it’s huge to get a small business started.”

North Harvest CSA sold a variety of sourdough bread, one of the many farm stands at Quincy Green. Troemner Farm and BigGoat farm sold flowers, fresh produce and homemade sauces.

Many creatives at Flower Moon worked with metal and wood, crafting jewelry, kitchen items, trinkets and hunting equipment. One metal artisan, Wade Kaiser from Rusty Raven Forge in Houghton, said he was not sure residents were aware of the event and was surprised with the turnout. “I love seeing this demographic come out and all the support we’re having today,” he said. “It’s so much more of an event than I expected and hoped for.”

Print designs, painting and poetry were also a mainstay at the event. Mary Kozmor, who runs MAFK Design in Hancock, said the camaraderie between residents and artists is one thing, but connection in the artist community itself is incredibly special. “I think it’s just a good space to get to know each other,” she said. “It feels like a very natural way to meet people and talk to them about, like, where they are at.”

Live music backdropped the whimsical nature of the market. Mystical synths, guitars and violins backdropped dream-like vocals. It gave the market a feel like many Renaissance Festivals across the country. Residents dressed up for the market, with the majority of market-goers in long skirts, kilts, flowing dresses and fantasy accessories like elf ears.

Community was a big theme at the market. It showed up in a variety of different contexts, such as supporting a small artist or farmer. Community-based organizations like Yoopers for Ukraine, Keweenaw Mutual Aid Collective and Keweenaw Against The Oligarchy, offered a different message for those in attendance.

Keweenaw Against The Oligarchy Chair, Lexi Tater, said becoming involved in your community also involves understanding its issues.

“It’s always really great to chat with people, like here, about their community,” she said. “Typically, when people come to these events, they’re very welcoming and open to the idea of doing political activism — and everything is super intersectional.”