[media-credit name=’RAY PFEIFFER/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Gone are the days of frostbitten toes and a limited fruit selection: the Dane County Farmers' Market reopened for the spring this past weekend.

Madison's Farmers' Market offers a variety of products, from food to plants to entertainment to "The Original 'Bee Hat Man.'"

The market, which has run since 1972, offers a close-knit culture for local businesses to showcase their work, while also providing a Saturday morning event for locals and tourists.

In an effort to offer original shopping experiences, the market allows small, unique businesses to gain footing by having a weekly market stand at the Capitol Square.

Donna Dernbach, owner of Golden Dreams Ostrich Farm with her husband and sons, adds her own sort of originality to the Saturday event. Her business provides a variety of ostrich meat, including bacon and steak.

"Eighty percent of [patrons] still haven't tried ostrich meat," Dernbach said. "But once they've tried it, they'll be back."

According to Dernbach, the market has helped her business acquire steady customers.

The Dernbachs have owned their stand at the market for a strong 12 years, she said, after waiting five years to become regular stall owners.

Others, too, have waited for spots on the Capitol Square.

Garden to Be, a stall offering certified organic vegetables, has been serving the market for five years since receiving a spot on the square.

Owner April Yancer said businesses like hers often thrive once they receive the season stall.

"It is the most successful market and the only one we do," she said.

Although some vendors may struggle to reserve a spot along the square, patrons keep coming back every weekend.

Additionally, entertainment aspects and events continue to add local flavor to the market.

The Girl Neighborhood Power group, a group of Madison-area middle school girls, took to a game of double-dutch jump rope while volunteers and workers handed out flyers at political booths a block away.

"I normally come just to walk around and check everything out," University of Wisconsin freshman Nina Stanger said. "I have never seen such an all-encompassing farmers' market. There is so much to do."

While entertainment offers variety to the market, vendors say the diversity of products keeps people coming back.

One such vendor, Stella's Bakery, has been at the market since 1988 and is famed for its "Original Hot Spicy Cheese Bread."

According to co-owner Coralia Harn, her family came "cold-turkey" to the market.

"My family got together and made some recipes," Harn said, adding her business continues because products "taste really good, look really good, and people have to love it."

During the market, Harn hands out free almond-butter cookies "for your patience," while children run in-and-out of the delivery truck in the busy morning hours.

"We're more than just a bakery," Harn said.