Coming soon at the Farmers Market
April
19: Earth Day, featuring several free one-hour classes, coloring grocery bags for kids and birdhouse making.
26: Kid’s Day, featuring a bike swap, bike safety class, rock paper scissors tournament and kid’s booths.
May
3: Garden Day, featuring a canning class, cooking demonstration and Mariachi Duo Band at 11 a.m.
10: Mother’s Day, featuring Mother’s Day Bingo and free flowers for moms, while supplies last, and the Clark Elementary School Sharks Choir at 11 a.m.
17: Armed Forces Appreciation Day, featuring an appreciation ceremony, the 70th Division Army Band and Garden hotline team.
24: Summer Fun Fair and Swap, featuring a camp equipment swap and Jimmy Free and Friends performing at 11 a.m.
31: Senior and Kid’s Day, featuring market bingo, kid’s book swap, and the Maywood Middle School band at 11 a.m.
June
7: Hawaiian Days, featuring Hula performances, cooking demonstrations and a cruise seminar.
14: Dad’s Day, featuring City of Issaquah Heavy Equipment Display, Dad’s Day Bingo, Sports Card show and noxious weed booth.
Tomorrow is opening day at the Issaquah Farmers Market, heralding the arrival of fresh, spring produce and tasty food.
The market will feature locally grown seasonal produce, fresh cut flowers, nursery items, arts and crafts and plenty of food and entertainment.
“We really promote the produce,” Market Manager Dave Sao said. “We want to help the farmers out.”
This year will also feature several sessions on gardening, travel and cooking.
Last year, about 3,500 to 3,800 people attended the market, which is held at the Pickering Barn. Free parking is provided by Costco, which is adjacent to the barn.
The last Saturday of every month is kid’s day at the market, at which kids are given free booths and are able to sell their crafts or produce.
This is the 10th year at the Pickering Barn, although the market itself started in 1995 and moved around a bit before settling at the barn in 1998.
New food options this year include a Polish food stand, as well as new Chinese and Mexican food booths.
“We try and make it not only a market, but also a gathering place,” Sao said.
Throughout the season the market features several events, including an Earth Day celebration on April 19 and an Armed Forces appreciation day on May 17, which will feature several guest speakers, an army band and a memorial service for those who have lost their lives in the war.
The market is open rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday April 12 through Oct. 11. For more information and a complete special events calendar, visit www.ci.issaquah.wa.us.
Opening day for the new Sammamish Farmers Market will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on May 21 at the Commons next to Sammamish City Hall. The Sammamish market will run every Wednesday through Oct. 1.
