The "Breakfast In The Rain" Story

Central Market in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

It was an ordinary day.  Market day and today historic Central Market in Lancaster, PA is serving breakfast.  Lancaster's Central Market at Penn Square in downtown Lancaster is America's oldest public market and since the early 1700s farmers have been bringing their meats and vegetables to the market for sale to residents of the county as visitors alike.  

Market vendors have stands available for breakfast.

Every year on the first Saturday in October for more than a quarter-century, rain or shine, stand holders take their baked goods, cooked items and drinks outside along Market Alley for what is called "Harvest Breakfast."  Event runs from 8:00 am until noon and the place usually gets packed.  

People line up to buy their favorites.

Hard to find a parking place in any of the nearby lots unless you arrive early as I did this morning.  Today will be one of the biggest selling days for the vendors in the market being they are holding breakfast as well as Lancaster County harvest season being in full swing this time of year.  Only bad part this year is that it's raining.  

These three college students are enjoying french toast
made with cinnamon bread and sausages.

Not a downpour, but the drizzle keeps the market from placing tables on Market Alley for the patrons to use for seating.  Many are standing under umbrellas attempting to eat their purchases or walk into the market proper where tables line the south wall of the market and a second floor balcony has a few stand-up tables.  

Sign in one stand inside the market telling of breakfast.

I snapped a few outdoor photos and headed inside to my favorite stand, Shady Maple Bakery where they have "made from scratch baking."  My favorite treat is the cream-filled "Long Johns" which are something like cream-filled donuts except stretched out straight instead of in a circle.  When baked fresh they are fantastic.  

High above the market stands are two guitarists
known as "Second Hand Suits" playing for the crowds.

Stopped last week and purchased a dozen to share with my wife, kids and grandson and ate the rest.  This week I only bought three to share with my wife.  Carol likes the chocolate covered while I like the peanut butter, vanilla, powdered and the chocolate.  They feel as if they weigh about a half-pound each and cost $1 each.  I hurried home to cut my peanut butter one and take a photo so I could eat it.  Boy was I disappointed when I cut it open.  No Filling!  Then I examined it more and realized they stuff the filling in from both sides and I happened to cut it where the filling stopped from each end.  Dunked it in a big cup of milk!!  Well, my day was a success and I got to see everyone enjoying breakfast even in the rain.  Waiting for my next trip to Central Market and another stop at Shady Maple Bakery.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This young girl is preparing pumpkins for sale outside the market house.

Inside the maker a line has formed to get coffee.

Patrons line the aisles at the market house.

There is more than food for sale at Central Market.  Here is a stand selling Amish goods.

Another stand has T-shirts for sale.

This young Amish girl is eating her breakfast indoors.

This is my favorite stand in Central Market.  Some trips, such as today, it is my only stop.  Stand is called Shady Maple Bakery and sells plenty of stuff that certainly can't be good for you, including the cream-filled "Long Johns".

Once at home I prepare for my breakfast of dunking.