Bigger Farmers Market crops up Saturday Posted by Jacob Buckenmeyer | May 09, 2012 | 288 views

The Anacortes Farmers Market returns to the Depot on Saturday, with live music, more farmers and even more “market” than in years past.

The fresh addition of about 75,000 bricks east and northeast of the Depot building adds 18,000 square feet of market space, and market director Keri Knapp said vendors will make the most of the expanse.

“We’ve got more seafood,” she said. “We’ve got a canned tuna company coming in, our prepared food vendors will have more variety and we have a few new craft items. It’s all very food-centric.”

Knapp said R Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic, and the booths will extend across the plaza to the madrona grove east of the Depot.

The Farmers Market runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the annual market poster design will be revealed shortly after the market opens on Saturday. Farmers Market calendars are also for sale, with art from the other 12 entries in the poster contest.

Nomadic Canadian group Diamond Dust will take the stage later in the morning to perform their blend of “modern retro rock” with a hint of country and blues. The Farmers Market is one stop on the band’s North American tour through seven provinces, eight states and 108 cities to debut their first, self-titled album.

Knapp said live music will be a regular feature of the market again this year after overwhelming positive feedback for bands last year.

New this year is an expanded cafe area. Knapp said Le Crema Cakes will be there to sell their Italian Illy Coffee. Food vendors will have breakfast burritos, lunch and even prepared take-home dinners for sale.

Inside the Depot this year, free community workshops will teach green-minded islanders everything from cheese making to bicycle maintenance to energy-efficient cooking.

The market teamed up with sustainable living group Transition Fidalgo and Friends to provide the workshops, Knapp said.

“They’ve helped us focus our efforts on educating the community, which is part of our mission,” she said.

Starting June 20, the market will be open on Wednesday evenings from 4-7 p.m.

“We’re hoping to make the Depot a destination for people to hang out,” she said.

The abundance of vendors has filled the market to capacity this summer, and Knapp said she has a waiting list of farmers and vendors.

All the popular items will be in full bloom again this year, including lots of produce, beef, eggs, candles, bread, fudge, cheese, granola and baked goods.

“People will find just about everything they need at the market this summer,” she said.