Fish, food and fun at Pike Place

Spectrum » TravelPosted at: Oct 29, 2017, 1:27 AM; last updated: Oct 29, 2017, 1:27 AM (IST) The Farmers Market in Seattle is a hit among the locals and tourists alike for its fascinating traditions

Rameshinder Singh Sandhu

Shopping and eating excites almost everyone. But, surely this exhilaration must be reaching its zenith in some particular markets of the world because of their age-old traditions. Seattle's Pike Place Market is certainly one of them. Since it first started on August 17, 1907, the market zealously continues with its golden tradition of 'meet-the-producer'.

Also called Farmers Market or Public Market Centre, it is located on a steep hill, with its back close to the Elliot Bay connected to the Pacific Ocean and its front facing the streets flowing into the city. The market is annually visited by millions of tourists from various pockets of the world who rub shoulders with the infinite local fans of this market everyday.

Roughly, a nine acre market and spread on different floors — its top floor that walks, along the Pike Place Street, is its real cynosure. Reason: It is home to the freshest food and lot more with endless variety. Thanks to the local farmers, including several women who bring their fresh produce — be it exotic flowers, fruits, vegetables, cheese, jams, spices, pastas and the highly popular seafood specialties that are freshly caught every morning.

Considering the variety and quality, the seafood stalls offer and on top of it, the enthusiasm with which fish is sold, it can easily beat the seafood markets of Hong Kong or Japan. How the fish is caught, the struggle that is involved to catch it, the benefits to health are some of the facts that the fishermen selling these go on to roll out to foster the sale.

Enjoy the fish game

Interestingly, between their promotions, they entertain people with a fish catch game that's being played since ages. Among themselves, on a fast pace, they throw fish to their colleagues to see how well the other colleague can catch, and it actually turns out as a special show. To watch it live, visitors remain gathered around their stalls with their cameras on and eagerly wait for the game to kick off. Often visitors are also heard requesting them to start the game or asking them if they can take a picture with a fish in their hand and they fulfil such wishes with a big smile! Actually, taking picture by holding it in your own hands has become an every minute tradition here.

Come hungry & try out food samples  

This is what locals will suggest if you tell them that you are heading here as the market is also known for fostering its shoppers to try their samples for free. At every step, you will hear tempting invitations to try different food items, and you may end up having a light meal of the day. If you go on and on with it as there are no restrictions, the light meal could soon turn heavy. However, besides free sampling, don't forget that the market stands dotted with several famous restaurants and food outlets that date back to market's birth, and of course, for food gourmands or connoisseurs, there are also guided food tours at nominal prices. Finally, the moment you will bid adieu to Pike Place, you will be like: "It was the best show of food which remained so engaging."

Interestingly, between their promotions, they entertain people with a traditional fish catch game that's been played since ages. They throw fish at their colleagues to see how swiftly the other can catch it

Fact file

The market is referred to as 'US Historic District' and is registered in 'US National Register of Historic Places'

The market is home to first Starbucks store of the world that dates back to 1971 where long queues of Starbucks fans can be seen every moment flowing out of its door

Several Punjabi farmers sell their produce here, especially fruits and vegetables and the packages carrying their produce with their family names can be spotted in several nooks of the market. 

Source: Fish, food and fun at Pike Place