It’s no April Fool’s Day joke that the Port Townsend Farmers Market is setting up shop on April 1, but it would be foolhardy to miss out on the heaps of fun included in opening-day festivities.

The season kicks off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1 on Tyler Street next to the Port Townsend Community Center.

The opening day will include the traditional goat parade, live music performed by local virtuosos Kristin Smith and Otto Smith, Storytime with the Port Townsend Public Library, and last but certainly not least, a fantastic collection of farm and artisan food and art vendors.

Whether one is looking for tasty local fruits and veggies or pottery, jewelry, paintings, or other art from talented community artists and artisans, organizers say the farmers market has it all.

The Port Townsend Farmers Market is run by the Jefferson County Farmers Markets with support from the 4700 Group, Aldrich’s Market, Coldwell Banker Best Homes, Quimper Mercantile, and Peninsula Credit Union, as well as a grant from the Jefferson County Lodging Tax.

This year marks the 31st season of the local farmers market.

The market opening is a community celebration with friends and neighbors, farmers, and makers gathering in Uptown. A ribbon-cutting with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and group photo is set for 9 a.m. April 1.

Spectators are encouraged to gather by 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of Tyler and Lawrence streets for the ribbon-cutting and group photo.

“Directly following the photo, goats from Ground Control Goats will amble through the market,” ” said Amanda Milholland, director of Jefferson County Farmers Markets. “We encourage people of all ages to wear a fun hat, animal costume, or something else festive to celebrate the kick off of the Port Townsend Farmers Market season.”

There are new programs, vendors, events, and more this season to enjoy.

The Port Townsend Farmers Market will continue its weekly live music program, monthly storytime with the Port Townsend Public Library on the first Saturday of the month, and monthly culinary demonstrations on the third Saturday, which will be offered in partnership with local chefs.

NEW VENDORS

Eighty-plus farm, food, and art vendors are set to return to the Port Townsend Farmers Market this year, with seven new vendors in the mix.

The new vendors include Sasquatch Botanicals, Holm Ceramics, Sol Smoothies, Madrone Creations, Alpenfire Cider, Westwind Botanicals, and Sun Colour.

“We are really excited about our vendor mix this year. I love seeing the overlap of farming with art and food in new businesses like Sun Colour and Sol Smoothies,” Milholland said. “Sun Colour offers clothing dyed with local plants and Sol Smoothies brings us nourishing smoothies incorporating local ingredients.”

The new businesses will offer a variety of products from botanically-dyed clothing to artisan hard cider, fresh fruit smoothies, and hot chili oil.

SURVEY SAYS

The Jefferson County Farmers Markets board of directors wants to hear feedback for future priorities. The board is in the process of developing a survey with support from the Washington State University Extension to collect community and vendor feedback about the farmers markets.

Officials want to hear from market shoppers and non-shoppers about what they value most about the local markets, what they want more of, and how to increase accessibility and inclusion. The survey is set to be sent out in the spring via The Leader, social media, and Jefferson County Farmers Markets newsletters.

START-UP APPLICATIONS

Applications are still open for the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) Start-up Fund along with applications for the Chimacum Farmers Market coming up in June.

The BIPOC Start-Up Business Fund is in its third season, offering small grants between $500 to $1,500 to new, BIPOC-owned farmers market businesses to cover the costs of getting started at the market.

The fund is supported by the 4700 Group, and interested parties can learn more and apply at jcfmarkets.org/bipoc-start-up-business-fund. The Jefferson County Farmers Markets is looking for additional support for the start-up fund, and those looking to help can email Milholland at
info@jcfmarkets.org.

As for the Chimacum Farmers Market, applications are still open and can be submitted at jcfmarkets.org/apply-jcfm.  Applications are due by April 1, and the market operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays from June to October.

For more information about Jefferson County Farmers Markets, go to jcfmarkets.org.