Marketplace on the Square

Saturday, June 20 was a perfect day to enjoy Marketplace on the Square in Downtown Garland. The skies were slightly overcast and there was a steady, gentle breeze to keep us comfortable.

We strolled around the Square, stopping and chatting with the vendors, some of whom we have gotten to know on the third Saturday markets. We picked up some fresh veggies and went in search for the local honey vendor and the lady selling wonderful skin lotions and soaps made from goat’s milk. While wandering around the square I noticed a person wearing an outfit that gleamed from head to toe. Then there was a scarecrow in my line of vision and I realized the costumes were probably from The Wizard of Oz, a play that was to open across the street at the Plaza Theatre on June 26. Sure enough, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion and Dorothy all appeared together for photo shoots.

The cast members from the Company of Rowlett Players (CORP) treated us to “We’re Off to See the Wizard” and Dorothy did a great job with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

Later, while resting my feet in the Generator Coffee House and enjoying a mocha frappe, I thought about the performers and the way they seemed to be enjoying themselves while promoting their upcoming theater production.  Their performance lent a higher degree of entertainment value to the event than the usual guitar strummers hired to perform.

Since the marketplace takes place on the third Saturday of every month through November, in the Garland Civic Theatre’s front yard, it is definitely something they should consider using to promote their own productions. The Wizard of Oz will be performed on June 26, 27 & 28.

Nancy Ghirla

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