“It’s Red Deer’s Market,” says Dennis Moffat.

When Dennis Moffat was 47 years old, he founded the Red Deer Farmers’ Market. At age 84, he could say, “I’ve been doing this for half my life.” No longer–because now he’s 85.

On Saturday, July 28, he celebrated this milestone birthday by doing what he’s done over a thousand times. But he doesn’t think of it as his market; it’s Red Deer’s.

In the first of several interviews, Dennis shares the market’s history¬–where it began, its variety of venues, the vendors who started with the market and who are still there, some quirky and interesting anecdotes along the way–all in the inimitable style Red Deerians have come to expect from this multi-talented man.

He should be known as an athlete, a teacher, a stalwart of Central Alberta Theatre, a City Councillor, and an artist. For many, he isn’t. He’s the man in the faded coveralls and the cowboy hat; he’s Mr. Farmers’ Market.

With an absolute minimum of editing, here’s Part One of “Dennis Moffat and the Red Deer Farmers’ Market.”