Bellingham Farmers Market

From the website: "It began when two Western Washington University students had a vision to have locally grown produce sold in a downtown urban location. The market opened on June 19, 1993 with nearly fifty vendors participating. Mike Finger, the market’s first board president, says the market is more than just a place to buy fresh produce and hand crafted products. He says, 'It fosters a social life and acts as a gathering place for friends and family. Not only is it a place for locals to congregate, but the market is also a tourist attraction. The market brings many people to downtown Bellingham that might not come otherwise.'"There are actually two market days; Wednesday Fairhaven Market, and Saturday Downtown Market, both of which are fun and lively. Every Saturday Market, local chefs cook wonderful treats using fresh, local products. Once a year, the Country Chef Challenge invites local residents to compete with their own recipes highlighting a predetermined ingredient. This year it's the Great Squash Smackdown.

The first Saturday of the month is kid's day, where pint-sized vendors serve up awesome handmade goods ranging from cookies (always, always with the sold out cookies) to knit hats to duct tape wallets. These aren't no summer camp crafts, either! These are expertly hand crafted things that have become very popular amongst the locals (especially those cookies...). Man, I really love cookies. I never get there early enough for the cookies. Ahem.

One of my favorite aspects of Market (aside from all the wonderful goods, that is!) is the guarantee of buskers. What's a busker, you ask? Buskers are performers of all sorts that sign up for time slots in the market. Anything from music to magic can be going on right alongside the many booths. All of these extras are what adds to the atmosphere at Market.

And selling your crafty goods next to all this action might be right up your alley. The website explains in detail how you apply to be a vendor, how to prepare for the craft jury, and the fees and costs associated with vending. It will also tell you if your area of craftiness is what they are looking for...i.e., special privileges are given to returning and/or longtime vendors, so if they are already full up in a certain area, they probably will ask you to wait until next year. But it's just so they don't have 65 specialty lettuce farmers.

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks as I spotlight some of my fave market vendors!

Saturday Market
Downtown on Railroad at Chestnut April through Christmas 10am to 3pm

Wednesday Market
Fairhaven on the Village Green behind Village Books June through September 12 to 5pm

Visit the Bellingham Farmer's Market website.