Corvallis market kicks off with wagon rides, live music

Area direct-to-market growers are crossing their fingers for some strategically placed sunshine to kick off the selling season as mid-valley farmers’ markets get ready to open this weekend.

Although it’s been a cool, wet spring, weather conditions so far are looking better than last year, which brought everything from cherry-crop failures to a boom in the destructive vole population, said Rebecca Landis, director of the Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Markets.

Now local farmers just need enough sun to coax the bees and other pollinators into fertilizing their fields and orchards.

“I think they’re nervous, but overall there’s a feeling that things have got to be better than they were last year,” Landis said. “The weather is our biggest variable.”

The Corvallis Saturday Farmers’ Market gets under way this weekend on the downtown riverfront with free horse-drawn wagon rides, Easter-themed kids’ activities and music from folk-rocker Collin Spring. Landis hopes to have about two dozen vendors on hand for opening day.

Albany’s open-air market will begin its season the same day, and Corvallis’ midweek market starts up at the Benton County Fairgrounds next week.

While the full bounty of vegetables won’t fill the market stalls until later in the season, the early weeks feature plenty of vegetable starts and nursery plants for home gardeners as well as cut flowers, baked goodies, honey, jams, cheese, eggs, nuts and meats.

And, as early as it is, April often brings a surprising variety of fresh edibles from greenhouse and field. Offerings can include asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms, garlic, root vegetables and a variety of greens.

Music is part of the scene on most market days, along with children’s activities, cooking demonstrations and food samples. There is no admission charge.

At a glance

Corvallis Saturday Farmers’ Market

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 15 to Nov. 22

Southwest First Street at Jackson Avenue

Corvallis Wednesday Farmers’ Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 to Nov. 22

Benton County Fairgrounds

110 S.W. 53rd St.

Albany SaturdayFarmers’ Market

8 a.m.-noon April 15 to Nov. 18

Water Avenue between Broadalbin and Ferry streets

Bennett Hall is the business editor for the Gazette-Times. He can be reached at 758-9529 or bennett.hall@lee.net.