Regarding Rebecca Lobo: Albany County Farmers Market

Citizens in the Capital District were in an uproar after remarks made by former professional basketball star and sports commentator Rebecca Lobo during the 2024 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament at the MVP Arena this past April. Ms. Lobo seemingly denigrated Albany and its ability to deliver activities to sustain visitors, by saying “Good luck finding something to do in Albany.”  We all read a myriad of comments on various social media platform threads and printed articles with people miffed, outraged and offering alternatives, most occurring outside of the city limits toward making Ms. Lobo's commentary misguided and suspect.

As an attendee of the Albany County Farmers Market on September 15th a little before 12 noon, I was not shocked at its light attendance by local constituents. Located in front of the MVP Arena at 51 South Pearl Street between Hudson and Beaver Streets, it was one block with earnest and enthusiastic vendors selling vegetables, fruits, coffee, bread, health and wellness info and smoothies. If you want to participate in a different way, you could listen to a guitarist perform, get your face painted and play an outdoor game, ex. cornhole. Apparently, this Downtown Albany Farmers Market experience supported by Albany County with partners MVP Health and Downtown Albany BID started on Sunday July 14 and ends on Sunday September 29th. Times are 10:00am-2:00pm. How many of you knew that this Farmers Market was a regular occurrence? Did you know that there is a website? https://www.downtownalbany.org/albany-county-farmers-market

Well, unless there is a significant increase in attendance, Ms. Lobo's assessment as a visitor is also spot on as translated to the locals. I know there are other events on your personal calendar: bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, apple picking, religious attendance etc. When was the last time you were in Downtown Albany and could park your car on the street for free before 6:00 pm?

Your lack of engagement in Capital City events underscores the empty streets and lack of vitality which motivates people to travel elsewhere to have a good time and support other cities, towns and villages on both sides of the Hudson River. People are used to coming to Albany for major events, such as sports, theater and concerts that are heavily marketed and advertised, but daily activities that are small, foundational and vital to small business owners are not translating to the inhabitants of the Capital District.

You have two more chances to attend and support the Albany County Farmers Market before the end of September. Please mark your calendar and make time to attend this event or use that time to send Ms. Lobo a sincere apology.

Albany County Farmers MarketPhoto byCarol Durant