On the first Vancouver Farmers Market Saturday of 2015, spring came in full force to remind us all it’s not quite summer yet.
The market opened at 9 a.m. and carried on through the afternoon amid bursts of sunshine, blue skies and even some heavy rain showers. After an unusually warm and dry winter for Washington, the sidewalks along the southwest corner of Esther Short Park were flush with flowers and fresh produce.
Though the weather was (no surprise) unpredictable, the streets were abuzz with the typical farmers market fanfare: Children got their faces painted and scoured the tables for salty snacks while their parents browsed the selection of wine, smoked meats, honey, leafy plants and food.
Families on the streets crowded under their umbrellas, and a couple of vendors selling terrariums watched their glass displays quickly fill nearly to the brim with rainwater. Now and then, some took a break to dump out the water collecting in their canopies overhead.
But that didn’t stop them from enjoying the festivities. As usual, dozens of vendors set up shop on Sixth and Esther streets, and crowds filled the streets.
The selection ranged from bright bouquets of daffodils to luscious, dark winter greens. And the scent of fresh-cooked barbecue and brunch fare from food carts flowed through the air.
Rick Pine, a Vancouver resident and owner of Rick’s Wild Mushrooms, brought his assortment of wild greens and mushrooms to the market for the twelfth year in a row Saturday. The selection included morels, shiitakes, portobellos, nettles and spring onions.
“All of it’s from right here in the Pacific Northwest, meaning Washington and Oregon,” he said.
For Pine, it’s all about connecting with people on his day off from foraging, and leaving them with a little more knowledge about wild foods.
“I just like the camaraderie with the people, being able to talk to people and educate them about what all they actually eat in the wild,” he said.
The farmers market is a long-standing tradition for downtown Vancouver, and the first farmers market of the year marks not only the start of spring but the beginning of the city’s busy event season. And it was already a lively day for downtown Vancouver.
A block away at the east end of Esther Short Park, dozens of microbrewers and several local distilleries partook in the first-ever spring beer festival in downtown, the “Vancouver Brewfest: Spring Edition.” In all, more than 30 brewers showcased their products at the event, highlighting Clark County’s growing microbrew scene.
Many came not only to taste the wide array of local beers but also to catch a little bit of March Madness. The organizers aired the first weekend of the basketball tournament on three big-screen TVs inside the tent. Attendees also had a chance to win one of the TVs in a raffle.
Last year, Vancouver celebrated the 25th season of the farmers market. That year, the market drew more than 600,000 visitors from start to finish, averaging upwards of 10,000 a day.
Since its inception, the market has grown far beyond selling just produce and flowers. Along the streets this year, you’ll find anything from organic cat toys to handcrafted wooden furniture, soap and glass artwork.
This year, the event will run every Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1. The market opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and at 10 a.m. on Sundays. It stays open until 3 p.m. each day.
The farmers market is also still accepting applications for vendors this year. Anyone interested in participating in the coming months can apply at www.managemymarket.com.
