Fun, Free Holiday Activities at La Mesa Village Farmers Market

If you haven't heard about the Unplugged Village or the Search for Rodney Rooster yet you are seriously missing out. Each Friday, the La Mesa Village hosts a vibrant Certified Organic Farmers Market. In recent months, a tiny rooster has been on the loose and he can be found hiding in a different vendor booth each week. Once kids spot him, they can stop at the Unplugged Village booth (across from Curbside Eatery) for a prize. This week there is even more holiday fun as we will make letters to Santa, snow flakes to hang at home or you can help color a Santa's Workshop fort (our version of "Fort Night Friday"). The fort will be raffled off at the end of the night for one lucky kid to take home. Kids can even get a mailed letter from Rodney himself.

It's been almost 2 months since starting up the booth in the Village and due to a little bit of Rodney mania, it was decided that this should be a weekly, rather than once a month, occurrence. Most weeks there is a craft and a fruit and veggie scavenger hunt sheet. In the future we will roll out "Adventure Tasters" where kids can try some new items. While kids are taking a break from screens and having fun, parents can revel in the fact that in a short period of time you can accomplish several things on your never ending parenting task list. You can shop for delicious organic produce (with a happy kiddo along) and increase the chances that they will try some of these items. You are getting exercise, reconnecting after a busy week, supporting local business, meeting a farmer or two, and most importantly...having some fun! Rodney is always looking for new peeps so we hope you will come out and try to find him.

Ironically, we have to be a LITTLE social for marketing purposes so when you are back online, feel free to share this with your friends. If you'd like tips, info about workshops or other unplugged things to do, visit www.unpluggedvillage.com. You can also check out Facebook or Instagram @unpluggedvillage for clues as to where Rodney is hiding next.

The mission of the Unplugged Village is to offer fun, screen-free activities and foster real connections and community. This event is in partnership with the San Diego Parent Connection and Brian's Farmers' Markets. If you are interested in supporting these efforts please contact Claudia Erickson at cerickson@unpluggedvillage.com.