While the headlining attraction in Memorial Peace Park this weekend is Earth Day festivities, it also marks the first Saturday morning of farmers markets, with many more to come.
Leah Stoltz is starting her second season as market manager, and said the Haney Farmers Market is going to have more community connections. Local groups, from the Men's Shed to the Ridge Meadows Quilters Guild will be invited to come to the bandstand or a community tent, and be part of the market. In July and August, there will be a storytime for children in the bandstand for a half hour, starting at 10:30 a.m., with the Maple Ridge Library.
"They will be groups who want to engage more with the community, get new members, or just showcase what they do," Stoltz said.
The market has 60 booths for vendors, this Saturday including Hats and More, Gnome Land Lollies, Higher Mountain Soup, and many more.
The musical entertainment with be both familiar and new this season.
"We will have the crowd favourites, and we have at least three new musicians this year," said Stoltz.
At a time when there is a movement toward buying Canadian and supporting the local economy, Stoltz asserts that buying produce or baked goods from your own city is best.
"This is the most local that you can get," she said.
For foodies, there are also more eat-on-site vendors who are coming to the market this year.
Stoltz first volunteered with the market a decade ago, was the assistant manager, and last year was promoted to manager.
"We have a plan this year, that we want to be the best market in B.C." Stoltz said, and that is an honour given by the BC Farmers Market association. The market has not yet won it.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park each Saturday from April 26 until Oct. 25.
For more information,or to contact the market, email haney@farmersandmore.org.
