There’s plenty to look forward to at the outdoor Cranbrook Farmers Market this year, with vendors setting up a little earlier in the season and more special events on the schedule.
Good weather has permitted the market to open on May 11, two weeks earlier than last year. It will continue to run further into the fall as well, with markets setting up every weekend in October. In full, it runs every Saturday from May 11 to June 8 and June 22 to Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on 10 Ave. South.
Opening day on May 11 coincides with Mother’s Day and the Kootenay Children’s Festival, and there will be vendors catering to all three events with special treats. Bear’s Eatery and Pie Factory will be selling pot pies, Over The Top Canteen will have carnival nibbles like churros and popcorn, Burrito Grill will offer wraps and bowls, and Morchella Market will sell sandwiches and baked goods.
And shoppers looking for a last-minute gift for mom will be able to buy fresh flowers.
READ MORE: Largest-ever Kootenay Children’s Festival coming to Cranbrook in May
They’ll be a special Sunday market for Spirit of the Rockies on June 16, followed by a Canada Day-themed event on Monday, July 1that will be open to vendors who don’t fit the market’s typical hand-made product focus.
The market will partner with the Key City Theatre to offer goodies during the second annual Ed Fest, running Sept. 6 to 7, and the season finale will be a spooky Halloween-themed market on Oct. 26.
Vendors coming to the summer market this season include Thistle Farm from Wynndel with garlic and onions; Cranbrook’s very own We Be Farmin with fresh melons; Silver Tip Ranch from Wardner with organic beef; and Corner Veggies from Jaffray and Marar Orchards from Creston with a mixed variety of seasonal produce.
Ktunaxa First Nation will set up a business showcase to display art and other heritage projects.
Honey Bee Zen from Creston will sell a variety of honey-based products like salves, lip balms and beeswax candles.
There will also be 15 local musicians performing as part of the Music at the Market Program.
The earliest produce of the season will be available on opening day — asparagus, radishes, turnips, carrots and leafy greens. Later in the year, vegetables like tomatoes, garlic, cucumber, zucchini and corn will make an appearance.
Market manager Jessica Kazemi anticipates that B.C soft fruit like peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries will be hard to come by this year, since orchards in Creston were decimated by severe winter storms. She said to expect more vegetables from Creston farms, and more apples and berries.
Kazemi said markets will become critical in helping farmers sustain their businesses and continue to bring in money.
“We really need to be supporting our local farmers as much as possible, because they’re definitely going to be losing a lot of revenue this year. If we can support them with whatever they’re able to bring to the market, then we can keep them operating,” she explained.
READ MORE: Winter weather wipes out Creston orchard’s soft fruit supply
The B.C Association of Farmers’ Markets has released coupon booklets that can be redeemed at the market for fresh produce, local meat, eggs and honey. They are available through various community partners in Cranbrook, including Community Connections Society of Southeast B.C., Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child & Family Services, ANKORS and REALM. Applications for these booklets can be filled out at these locations.
The market is currently searching for volunteers who can assist with set-up and clean-up.
It is also looking for sponsors for its new children’s program, that will see more youth oriented activities added to the market aimed at increasing food literacy and environmental awareness. A few activities were successfully trialed at the indoor market in the winter, including garden planting and an Easter carrot hunt.
Interested parties can contact Kazemi at manager@cranbrookfarmersmarket.com.