As the opening of the third season of the Maple Valley Farmers Market approaches there are many new pieces falling into place.

Victoria Laise Jonas, president of the market’s board, said in an e-mail interview that this year a market day supervisor will be hired to assist her with “operations of the market, with set up and take down, supervising our student interns, etc.”

“This is a big step for us, but, one that we have been working toward since we opened up our market in 2009,” Jonas said. “We now find ourselves financially able — thanks to the support of our community — to hire another employee. We hire six student interns from (Tahoma High School) every summer also.”

Jonas is a full time volunteer, she noted, but said that giving her time is very rewarding.

Vendor applications are being mailed out, she added, and that in 2010 the market averaged more than 40 vendors per week including farmers, processors, prepared food vendors and artisans.

The mix of vendors was a highlight last season, Jonas said, “and we are hopeful that all of them will return this year.”

“We have received inquiries from potentially new vendors who would like to be a part of our farmers market,” Jonas said. “Our artist applications will be sent out soon and our contact person is Mary Jane Glaser, our new vice president.”

Glaser has some experience with arts as she has served as president of the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council for more than a decade.

Prior to the opening day of the market, which is set for June 18, Maple Valley Days has offered to host a mini-farmers market the weekend before.

“I am excited about this potential partnership and working out all of the details to make this a reality,” Jonas said.

During the 16 week market season, which runs through Oct. 1 at Rock Creek Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday, there will be entertainment which again has been scheduled by Jim Hanna who is also responsible for the Creative Arts Council’s Open Mic Nights at The Leaf.

The Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform on opening day, June 18, for the second consecutive year. Another returning group to the entertainment lineup this season will be the Maple Valley-based Ensemble Ballet Theatre.

Jonas said it would be great to have more volunteers to further enhance the community spirit that bolsters the farmers market.

“We are always looking for more community volunteers or community groups to come join us on a Saturday,” she said. “On an average Saturday, we would like to have five to six volunteers to help with set up and take down. Volunteering at our Farmers Market is a very fun way to serve our community.”

In addition to the crucial role volunteers play, Jonas said, the market also has grown thanks to the support of sponsorships which allowed the market board to bring a number of special events to each weekend including a chili cook off, a fresh fruit pie baking contest, chef demonstrations, among many others.

“Financial sponsorship of our Farmers Market also supports out mission to bring fresh, farmer grown produce and handmade products to Maple Valley,” Jonas said. “I believe being a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization helps with attracting sponsorship donations. Here in Maple Valley, we experience a strong sense of community and community engagement is alive and well in our city.”

For more information, log on to the market’s website, www.maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org, visit its Facebook page, send e-mail to info@maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org or call 425-463-6751.