Farmers' Market hits ML again

Annual event opens this Saturday at Civic Center Park

From June to October, every Wednesday and Saturday, artists, craftsmen and growers will turn Civic Center Park in a paradise of commerce, friendship and fun.

It's the Columbia Basin Farmers' Market and Crafts Bazaar, which returns to Moses Lake this Saturday.

Steve Shinn, co-manager of this year's market said that about the same peak amount of vendors last year are expected this year.

"As the season goes on, we peak at about 58 vendors," he said.

Co-manager Judy Spalding said that the market has a certain possibility to grow, more than in years past.

"For a long time, the market was managed by people who did not want it to grow," she said.

This year, however, the market will have new amenities, from permanent restrooms and a new headquarters office to the usual myriad of fruits and vegetables, as well as plants, baked goods, and a variety of crafts. Once a week, there will be live entertainment, ranging from puppeteers to music bands.

Spalding said that two $500 scholarships will be given out during the course of the market, along with a $250 prize for the winner of the market's poster design contest.

Once a month, the market will have a kiddy theme, with the introduction of Children's Market Day, where children ages 12 and under will be able to participate in the market and sell their produce and crafts without paying any fees.

For the rest of us, the fees are $30 for membership along with a fee for every day that a vendor chooses to participate. The fee for crafters is $5 and for producers is $10.

Vendors who fork over the money will have to follow certain rules, Shinn said. Ninety percent of everything that is sold, has to be grown or made by the vendors, their friends or their families.

Shinn himself will conduct inspectors, going to the products' place of origin on the vendor's dime to make sure neither the crafts nor the produce come from stores.

For the crowds that year after year flock to Civic Center Park, the market represents much more than just another place to go once or twice a week, Shinn said, adding that it offers many things people want.

"People like to have fresh produce," he said. "Store stuff is fine, but these products sometimes are brought in the same day they are picked." Shinn added that the market gives people the chance to socialize with friends, as well.

For vendors, the attractiveness of the market is not much different than that.

Mark Amara, a grower and a market vendor since 1997 said merchants enjoy the chance to bring fresh produce and high quality crafts to the customers in a face-to-face environment.

"It's kind of fun just to participate in the event," said Amara, whom this year will be selling vegetables as well as a Grant County geology book he co-wrote. "Meeting the customer and maybe making a little money."