Farmers Market to open Saturday

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Seasoned gardeners, veggie enthusiasts and the merely curious are asked to bring their appetites to the annual Vashon Farmers Market this Saturday in the Village Green from 10 to 2 p.m.

Local farmers with a full selection of fresh produce will return for the opening day festivities, as will island artists and crafters, who will display their creative wares and help to kick off the spring.

In addition to new vendors this year, the market will welcome Vashon Island Baking Company and offer fresh donuts to hungry islanders looking for a tasty treat. Other hot food will be available as well, including pizza.

On the entertainment side, some distinguished acts will headline opening day with performances that Perrin Meriwether, market manager, says islanders won’t want to miss.

“We’re planning on doing live music every week,” he added.

The music roster includes island native Abigail Sloan, whose debut album “Reason & Rhyme” was recently nominated as a contender for this year’s “Most Exceptional Music Project” by the Independent Music Awards.

Also performing will be Bob Goering, a Vashon musician, whose decades-spanning career has taken him to stages and crowds of thousands across the American country music circuit.

Music will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Sloan playing first.

Saturday’s patrons will receive a free plant start courtesy of Pacific Potager while supplies last.

Beginning as an extension of the Vashon Island Growers Association, the Farmers Market has become a community tradition and a strong representation of the individual and small business side of the island, according to Meriwether, who is managing the market for the first time this year.

The Farmers Market will hold special events in the upcoming season, such as a kid’s day, and harvest and cider celebrations, with more details to come.

— Paul Rowley