Lovely market: Valentine’s Market brings people out as winter fades

MOSES LAKE — Love was in the air, and so were the aroma of food and the sound of shopping, at the Moses Lake Farmers Market’s annual Valentine’s Market Saturday. The market, which was held in the Commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds, attracted a sizable crowd.

“The seasonal markets that they do here seem to be a little better (than the summer farmers market),” said Jereme Roy, of Roy’s Custom Leather Work & Repair, who had a booth displaying handmade leather goods. “They maybe sometimes attract more people. People are ready to get out of the house and go do something and go see something and be around people.”

“We’re liking the craftsmanship, and it being local,” said Joseph Allen, who was looking over some of Roy’s wares with Sheena Cameron. Cameron was checking out a largish leather satchel.

“I’m thinking (it would make) a laptop bag, or something like that,” Cameron said.

Over in the corner of the building, Farm Fresh Meats of Ephrata had coolers set out with hamburger, steaks, roasts and more.

“We (also) have smoked items like kielbasa, franks, pepper sticks, jerky,” said Kevin Sieverkropp, who said quite a few people had been through in the morning. “We’ve got brisket, tri-tip.”

Farm Fresh Beef does business twice a month at the Moses Lake Farmers Market during the season as well, he said.

Also a regular at the summer farmers market is Rosalinda Delgado, who owns Y&V Crochet. Her booth was replete with crocheted plushies of octopuses, frogs, even a triceratops. 

“I also make wearables like beanies and ear warmers and scarves and stuff like that,” Delgado said. “The plushies are definitely doing a lot better than the wearables this time around.”

Near the front entrance, Shawn Cardwell, director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts, was telling attendees about the organization’s upcoming shows. 

“(We) have the Silhouettes Shadow Dance Company coming through, as seen on TV, “America's Got Talent” finalist,” Cardwell said. “We also have our Missoula Children's Theater free week-long theater camp coming up during the school district spring break, April 1-6. It’s free for the kids all week and then the performance is $7 for people to come see the show.

“(The Valentine’s Market) is a great way to reach out to new audiences and new people who have not heard of our programs before, who aren't on our email list already,” Cardwell added. “It's been very cool. We've got a ton of people from Othello, from Ephrata, as far away as Walla Walla, that we've met coming here. It’s super well attended and a really great event.”

Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Rosalinda Delgado, left, and her daughter Yvette Ramirez, 9, offer hand-crocheted plushies, scarves, and hats at the Valentine’s Market Saturday. Delgado’s business, Y&V Crochets, is named for Yvette and her sister Valerie, Delgado said.
  

    From left: Rheese Meza, Brianna Rios and Whitney Smith catch up and share a laugh at the Valentine’s Market Saturday, while 1-year-old Blythe Dagorret waits patiently in her stroller.
  

    Arturo Morando puts out handmade garden figurines while his wife Luz Morando looks on at the Valentine’s Market Saturday. Morando has been creating the figures since he was 9 years old, he said.