Our revels now are ended

The last outdoor market of the year spread its tattered wings under unseasonably warm skies on Wednesday, the day before the American Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. ¶

Brightly colored canopies are dwarfed by a nearly empty parking lot.

The market in Davis Square, Somerville, here in Massachusetts encamps on Wednesdays from June to November. ¶

Thus it is ever fated to be among the very last, holding forth up to and including the day before every Thanksgiving.

Not every vendor sticks it out until the end. In season, this market bustles.

Everything must go

This week you could have bought 10-pound bags of apples for fifteen dollars. One vendor discounted loose apples by a dollar per pound.

A small sign that reads "Macoun: Regarded to be the finset eating apple in the world. Extra sweet, aromatic, juicy, with a hint of crunch. Excellent for eating, salads, and sauce. Cross between McIntosh and Jersey Black. $2.50/pound." The price is written on a piece of blue tape that covers the original cost.

Apples from this vendor had been $3.50.

Die hards

Fourteen apples answered the roll this week:

It's still not too late to gather a winter hoard, but you'll have to find apples indoors.

A sign that is taped to a wooden surface reads as follows: Reminder: Today is the last day of the market! This winter you can find us at Somerville Winter Market @ The Armory, Highalnd Ave, Somerville, Saturday morinings 9:30–1:30; Medford Winter market, Tuesdays, 142 Mystic Ave.

In addition to urban winter markets, many orchards and farm stands are still in business, and there may be local fruit in the produce sections of supermarkets and groceries.

With no ceremony, then, the cycle of the year draws to its close.

With shoppers in the background, clear plastic bags of apples sit on a wooden table beneath a hand-lettered sign that reads "utility grade bagged apples, ten pounds $15."

Adam's Apples

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