The Cranbrook Farmer's Market is getting ready for its first big event of the season, the Spring Market.
This is the second year that the Spring Market will be held and it is happening Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cranbrook Curling Centre.
The market is a sort of precursor to the upcoming weekly farmer's market held downtown near Rotary Park.
Erna Jensen-Shill, who manages the Cranbrook Farmer's Market, said it is a great time to get reacquainted with the produce and goodies missing since the end of the last market season.
Last year at the Spring Market the early season produce was snapped up quickly.
"We've got lots of the favourites," Jensen-Shill said. "And for this market, some visiting folks from the West Kootenay will be coming over with ornamental garden products and that type of thing."
As well, many popular items are back, such as homemade borscht, cupcakes and produce and eggs from Fort Steele Farms.
The Spring Market is held at the curling rink as it offers both an indoor and outdoor option, which is helpful with the sometimes difficult-to-predict weather of this time of year.
Jensen-Shill said people were asking for the early season market last year, so they tried it out and it was a success.
It also offers an opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a vendor in the market to find out more, as there will be an information booth set up to answer questions from 1-2 p.m.
"We will be talking to any interested folks," she said. "You know, maybe they're growing a little market garden and they're not sure how to go about becoming a vendor or coming down and selling their produce."
She said the big thing is that everything is locally made, grown or baked, as they follow B.C. Association of Farmer's Markets standards.
The Cranbrook market's website has more information on the guidelines.
Jensen-Shill added that the Cranbrook Farmer's Market is shaping up for a great season and will begin June 22. It is entering its fifth year.
"It's gets better with age," she said. "We have more vendors and more community support."
For more information on either the Cranbrook Farmer's Market or the Spring Market go to www.cranbrookfarmersmarket.com, or visit the Facebook page by searching Cranbrook Farmer's Market.