The Auburn International Farmers Market begins its second season on Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. with a Kiwanis Club of Auburn fundraiser breakfast, followed by an opening ceremony at 9:30 and the official ringing of the bell to open the market at 10.

The formal opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the Auburn Transit Center will include a welcome by Auburn Deputy Mayor Sue Singer, Pacific Mayor Rich Hildreth, Algona Mayor David Hill and Miss Auburn Hayley McJunkin. Auburn Councilmember Bill Peloza will be the master of ceremonies.

“It’s in full swing,” said Peloza. “The market manager and volunteers are working very hard to make the second season better than last year.”

As part of the opening celebrations, the market organizers partnered with the Auburn High School Career and Technical Education Department to create and display traditional and computer-generated artwork that celebrates market imagery. Twenty-three works of art were on display at businesses throughout Auburn’s downtown the week prior to the market opening.

On opening day, the images will be on display at the market, and attendees may vote on their favorite. The selected winner will serve as the farmer’s market poster for the 2011 season.

Each Sunday, the market will feature some 40 vendors selling seasonal produce, cut flowers and crafts along with a variety of cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, educational workshops and entertainment.

The market will pull farmers and vendors from the greater Auburn valley area, including Algona and Pacific. It will run on consecutive Sundays at the Auburn Transit Center Plaza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sept. 26.

“It will be similar to last year, but I think we’ll have a better start,” said Daryl Faber, director of Parks, Arts and Recreation for the City of Auburn. “We’ve already got more than 35 vendors signed up for the first week. The local produce is a problem this year, the weather hasn’t been very conducive. That will be an issue, but we have numerous farmers already signed up for the full season and entertainment. One of the most popular vendors was the woman who sold noodles. She was by far our highest vendor, and she’s back, bigger and better than ever.”

For more information about the market, visit www.auburnfarmersmarket.org or call 253-266-2726.