PORT TOWNSEND — About 500 people arrived early for the 9 a.m. opening of the 23rd Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday to celebrate the seasonal arrival of locally grown fresh produce and meat as well as handmade crafts.
“It’s going to be a really great season,” said Will O’Donnell, market manager.
“We have a lot of great vendors and a lot of great energy.”
More than 50 vendors, including four new ones, were selling their wares at the market.
The big opening led the way for about 2,000 people to attend all day, O’Donnell predicted.
He said the market is one of the 10 largest in the state and that Port Townsend is the smallest city to have a large market.
For the sixth year, the market was kicked off with a ribbon-cutting and a short goat parade, where two adults and three baby goats — just 3 weeks old — were led or carried through the market as it opened.
Secretary of Health
The ribbon was cut by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, who donned the ceremonial flowered straw hat that is a symbol of the market and is featured on its promotional posters.
“Farmers markets are incredibly important. They provide fresh fruits and vegetables,” Wiesman said after the ceremony.
“They support physical health but also the health of the economy, and that is a win-win for everyone: the farmers, our families and the public.“
Wiesman was accompanied by Bette Hyde, the director of the state Department of Early Learning, in what is Wiesman’s only official visit to a farmers market scheduled this year.
Wiesman called farmers markets “the wave of the future,” adding that he’d like to see one in every community.
He helped open this season’s market to promote the Healthiest Next Generation initiative, which aims to help children maintain healthy weights, enjoy active lives and eat well by making changes in early learning settings, schools and communities.
Jefferson Healthcare chef Arran Stark collected several early pickings from the market — such as broccoli, onions and spinach — that he intends to put on the hospital menu.
Growth limited
O’Donnell said the market’s growth is limited only by its geography.
This year, there were 16 new applicants with only enough room to accept four.
“We are starting to max out our space,” O’Donnell said.
“We can’t go down another block [on Taylor Street] because it’s not flat and starts to go downhill.”
The Saturday market, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Taylor Street between Lawrence and Clay streets, is one of three managed by Jefferson County Farmers Markets.
The Chimacum Farmers Market will open for the season June 7 and operate Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October.
It is located at the Chimacum Corner Farmstand, across from the Chevron where state Highway 19 meets Chimacum and Center roads.
The Wednesday afternoon market in Port Townsend will open July 1. It will operate from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Polk Street between Lawrence and Clay streets.
For more information, visit www.jeffersoncountyfarmersmarket.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
