Waking up on a summer Saturday morning in Squamish presents numerous opportunities, but none so alluring as starting the day by visiting the Farmers' Market.
Fresh produce, mouth-watering goodies, crafts, jewelry and entertainment return to downtown Squamish on May 14 and though the appetite for fresh produce was somewhat placated over the winter months thanks to the inaugural winter market, anticipation is tangible.
Vendors will be lined up side by side in the parking lot next to Pavilion Park in downtown Squamish, and merchants are convinced this year will be bigger and busier than ever.
"I'm getting really excited," said Nicholas Butler, Good Time Farming farmer and vendor.
"I think it's going to be a great summer - the Squamish market has just been growing and growing every year and I think it will be another awesome market season."
He said the market's come a long way in the past four years, acquiring many more farmer vendors, which are the backbone of any farmers' market - this year 14 farms have already signed on.
Fruit also promises to show up in abundance starting in mid-June when the Okanagan fruit growers make their way to Squamish.
Nicholas and his brother Stefan are going into their fifth growing season with Good Time Farming and though they sell produce in Vancouver throughout the winter, Squamish is their target market.
"Squamish is where we started, it's our best market and the one we've always focused on," said Nicholas.
"The whole purpose of Good Time Farming is to try and sell most of the produce here in Squamish."
Squamish Farmers' market chair Bill Brumpton is thrilled by how far the market has come since its inception as a black cherry market in 2004.
First run by the Chamber of Commerce and then by the Squamish Arts Council, the market became a stand-alone corporation in 2007, although it's been well supported by local businesses and the District of Squamish.
"When we started we had seven regular vendors," Brumpton said. "And this year when we start we'll have 39 vendors and counting.
"As anything else, it takes a while to grow and every year seems to have gotten a little better, but the last couple years it's just taken off."
He said in addition to the 14 farms, a lot more food vendors are signed up this year. They include Port Hardy Seafoods.
"We're going to have seafood, which is something we've been after for quite a while and haven't had in the past," he said. "He does canned and fresh frozen so that will be a new addition."
Market manager Carolyn Morris said there are many more exciting additions - a gluten-free bakery, a Mexican food stand, hot sauce, vegan donuts and more.
Nonetheless, old favourites will also return - Pemberton Coffee Co. is back to give customers the perk they need to start the day as well as homemade favourites such as pastries, pickled foods, honey, jams and jellies and maple syrups.
"We strive to provide the community with the freshest, most local organic foods available in season," Brumpton said.
"Our vision and mission is to provide a venue for farmers and crafters in the Sea to Sky Corridor to sell products supporting community activities in the Squamish area."
Different local groups and genres will provide live entertainment for several hours every Saturday.
The market runs Saturdays from May 14 to Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, rain or shine.
