It boasts more than 40 vendors, from restaurant-based concession stands steeped in home-cooked flavor to stands offering a variety of fresh, locally grown, farm-based foods and hand-made items.
What is it? Why, it’s the Auburn International Farmers Market, of course.
And at 10 a.m. Sunday, the market pitches boldly into its sixth year, in the Auburn Sound Transit Plaza at 23 A St. SW.
In coordination with the City of Auburn, this year’s market fairly bursts with good stuff, like free performances, chef demonstrations with farm-fresh ingredients, kids activities, and classes on health, nutrition and gardening.
And the fun includes another appearance by local garden guru Ciscoe Morris on June 15.
“I’m authentically jazzed, I’m all pumped up,” said City Councilman Bill Peloza, the City’s driving market force from the beginning.
Here’s the buzz on the 2014 market.
“We have two bakeries coming this year for the first time, making bread and all the sweets and donuts,” Peloza said. “Oh, and one of the bakeries will have large donuts for four. They specialize in large donuts. One of state Sen. Joe Fain’s reasons for coming to the market was mini donuts. So I told him, ‘You’re going to have to buy a large donut for four, and share it with your wife.'”
About 45 vendors are expected on opening day, about on par, Peloza said, with the market’s first year.
“In our two-year market planning process, we said that it would take five years to really get the market established. And now that we’re in the sixth year, we can say we’re a reputable farmers market in South King County,” Peloza said.
“I want to put in a good word for market manager Joanne McNabb, who has applied lots of her business ability to making the market what it is today,” Peloza added.
Want to get involved with the market? Well, there are always plenty of volunteer opportunities. To volunteer, just fill out the online registration form at www.auburnwa.gov, or call the market at 253-266-2726.
The market operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 8 to Sept. 21.
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Here is a list of 2014 AIFM events:
June 8: Opening day
June 15: Sound Transit-Metro Appreciation Day; Ciscoe Morris, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
July 6: Senior Appreciation Day
July 13: Dog Days of Summer
July 27: Kids Day
Aug. 3: National Farmers Market Week; canning demonstration, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 10: International Day
Aug. 24: Community Service Day – 3rd annual chili cook-off, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept. 7: Vendor Appreciation Day; Caspar Babypants, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Marianne Binetti, 12-2 p.m.
