The Corvallis Saturday Farmers' Market and the Corvallis Artisans Market have their season openers today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corvallis Riverfront Commemorative Park.

For those who recall last year's opener and its blizzard of snow and hail, this year brings a weather promise of mild temperatures and sunshine to usher in this seasonal favorite Saturday-morning activity, which will linger through Nov. 21.

This year's opener will feature more than the usual locally produced honey, jerky, garden starts, crafts, eggs, cheeses and other top-quality local bounty from the areas farms, orchards, barns and crafts studios.

The Earth Faire and the Procession of the Species will wind through the market at 12:30 p.m. in honor of Earth Week, which culminates Wednesday in the 39th global observance of Earth Day.

Last year the market launched the use of Oregon Trail and debit cards at the downtown Corvallis site with a wireless card reader and wooden tokens. Both parts of the program grew rapidly, and now businesses and other organizations are using the $5 debit tokens as gift certificates and employee wellness incentives.

City transportation officials encourage Saturday market customers to consider alternative modes of transportation to the events, such as bicycles or buses. The bus station, where all routes lead, is at Fifth Street and Monroe Avenue, only a few blocks from the markets.

Those who plan to be in Albany on Saturday morning can stop by the Albany Farmers' Market between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street.

New vendors are welcome at both markets throughout the season. Applications are available online at www.locallygrown.org/info.html or by calling market director Rebecca Landis at 541-752-1510.

The Wednesday Market that was located at the Benton County Fairgrounds for 21 years moves downtown on April 22 to a city parking lot at Second Street and B Avenue on the south downtown riverfront, near the skateboard park. Its new hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m.