What do you love about Jefferson County farmers markets?

Is it bouquets of dahlias and sunflowers from your favorite farm? Brightly colored Easter Egg radishes? The live music? A creamy cup of coffee?

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Port Townsend Saturday Farmers Market, which opens April 1, the Jefferson County Farmers Market Association invites marketgoers to write “love letters” to the market.

“This year, I wanted to bring in our community more and help them have a voice to share what they love about the market, and what they value from our vendors,” said Amanda Milholland, who’s about to start her second season as market director.

The market provides pen, paper and a mailbox, and letters can be anonymous.

“We’re hoping for some poetry about local berries or an ode to local tomatoes,” Milholland said.

OPENING DAY

The Saturday market in uptown Port Townsend kicks off opening day with an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 9 a.m., hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and led by Port Townsend Mayor Deborah Stinson. The community is invited to come in animal- or farm-themed costumes to join the goat parade following the ribbon cutting.

Of course, said Milholland, costumes are not required, “but it is April Fools’ Day, so you might as well.”

The opening day also features live music, a chef demonstration by Jefferson Healthcare’s executive chef, Arran Stark, and more than 70 local farmers, artisan food makers and craft vendors.

New vendors include Tarboo Creek Honey, Sovereign Honey, Duckabush Mushrooms, La Crepe de Quimper, For Real Dough, Flutter by Pizza Pie, Newquist Forge and Townsend Toad Kidswear, she said.