Opening day for the second season of the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market is less than three months away and planning is going well, according to Victoria Jonas, who is president of the market’s Board of Directors, the manager of the market and a member of the City Council.
“Things are going well for us,” Jonas said via e-mail. “Vendors signing up, special events calendar filling up, we are going to have our first annual Chili Cook-Off on (Sept. 11).”
Jonas added market committee members are still on the hunt for artisans, entertainment and sponsors.
“One of the most sought after vendors is a cheese vendor, and we have one,” Jonas said. “I simply can’t believe how lucky we are.”
Silver Springs Creamery in Lyndon, a family owned business, will be offering goat and cow cheese at the market this summer.
Another prized type of vendor for farmers’ markets, Jonas explained, is someone who sells bread and other baked items.
This year Joseph McKeown from George’s Bakery in North Bend will be joining the market this year, Jonas said.
“He vends up at Sammamish Farmers Market,” she said. “I saw his booth several times when I went up and visited their Farmers’ Market manager. We do have a couple of pastry item vendors coming back and it’s my job — did I say ‘job’? — to work with each one of our vendors to ensure no one is ‘stepping on anyone else’s toes’ as far as product line. We want everyone to be successful offering a diverse product line for all of our customers.”
Vendors will offer a variety ranging from fruit and vegetables, wild caught seafood and shellfish, grass-fed beef, eggs, milk, honey, flowers and much more.
There will also be entertainment, live demonstrations, special events and seasonal celebrations throughout the 17 week season of the market.
During the opening season, the market featured 77 vendors and averaged between 900 and 1,000 people attending each week.
In addition, volunteers logged more than 8,200 hours during the 16 week season, with many volunteers showing up at 7 a.m. before opening of the market at 9 a.m. and staying an hour or more after it closed at 1 p.m.
Work began on the first season with just an idea in July 2008 and became reality when the market opened for the first time on June 19, 2009.
Opening day for the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market is set for Saturday, June 20, at Rock Creek Elementary, 25700 Maple Valley Highway Southeast. The market will run through Oct. 9.
Volunteers, vendors and sponsors are still being accepted for the 2010 season.
For more information log on to www.maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org or call 425-463-6751 or send e-mail to info@maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org.
