Farmers Market opens in Moses Lake
Tatiana Walsh explains her wares at the Farmers Market in Moses Lake Civic Park Saturday for the opening of the market. Walsh, her husband and her sister will be selling handmade jewelry and hammocks at the market this year.<br>Erin Stuber/Columbia Basin Herald
MOSES LAKE — It was a small but enthusiastic start to the Columbia Basin Farmers Market this year at the opening date on Saturday in Moses Lake Civic Park.
Fifteen booths displayed a wide variety of handicrafts, and the earliest crop of the season, asparagus, was plentiful. Some apples held over from last year still looked appetizing Saturday morning.
"It's still not warm enough," said Tatiana Walsh about the first Farmers Market of the season as she surveyed the turnout of shoppers Saturday. The crowd was substantial for such an early opening, but far from the throngs of produce buyers usually seen at the height of the harvest season.
"It looks promising, I'm excited about it," she added.
Walsh and husband Justin, as well as sister Lillian Oliveira, are selling both homemade hammocks and jewelry at the market this year.The early May opening was a first for the Farmers Market.
"I have no doubt it will grow," said Judy Spalding, who is co-manager of the market along with Steve Shinn.
Regular entertainment will return to the market starting June 4, and continue throughout the season every Saturday. Spalding says there are quite a few new acts booked for this year, thanks to some help from Greg Strickland, owner of the Noon Moon Coffeehouse and Dessert Bar, which also had a booth at Saturday's opening event.
The Farmers Market will expand to bi-weekly starting Wednesday, July 13. Wednesday markets will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 14. Saturday markets on May 7, 14 and 21 will be open from 8 to 11 a.m., and Saturday markets June 4 through October will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
— Staff report