SEQUIM — When Mary Horst first flew in a small plane over Sequim, the place looked blessedly green. She and her husband, Herman, had lived in Alaska for 30 years, so they were good and ready to descend into a place where they could plant a big garden.
That garden turned into M&H Farm, one of the more prodigious vendors at the Open Aire Market, which starts its 11th season Saturday at Second and Cedar streets in downtown Sequim.
The Horsts raised eight children — but they’re grown and gone now.
“We’ve got all these groceries and nobody to eat them,” said Herman, 76.
“We thought, we’ve got to share with the people.”
M&H Farm’s market stand will feature spinach, peonies, parsley and other organic produce this Saturday, but that’s just a scratch on the surface of the bounty growing on the Horsts’ 9 acres.
Coming attractions
Coming soon: strawberries, raspberries, beets, dahlias, gladiolas, artichokes, plums, pears, sweet onions, string beans, lettuce, cauliflower, tomatoes and “all kinds of cherries, of course,” said Mary.
Both Horsts staff their stand at the market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 14.
“You meet people from all over,” said Mary, 70.
“We love people. You see the same ones coming back, year after year.”
Open Aire brings together a mix of local artisans, farmers and food vendors — 32 are signed up for this Saturday, said market manager Mark Ozias.
This is a juried market, meaning board members review the art and craft vendors and ensure their wares are handmade on the Peninsula.
The board also hires a variety of musicians to play on the market stage.
This Saturday, the traditional opening-day group, Naki’i, will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.