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Farmers market season begins Saturday

Outdoor market season starts on Saturday …
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Families are welcome to the opening of the Kelowna Farmers Market this season. Here a young boy chomps into a giant peach at a 2016 market. (Elise Maupin/contributed)

Spring has sprung, which means outdoor market season has returned.

The Kelowna Farmers and Crafters market will be back at its spot across the street from Orchard Park Shopping Centre Saturdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

While the location is the same as it’s been for 22 years there are efforts underway to shake things up.

“We’re trying to make it festive,” said Frances Callaghan, the market co-ordinator.

This first market, for example, will have balloon art, buskers and 20 giveaway bags from local vendors.

“We’re also planning to hold festivals throughout the summer,” said Callaghan. “We had festivals in the past, but the past couple of years we haven’t done much with them. Now because we have a new board and new staff we want to do something new.”

Callaghan, who stopped being a vendor in favour of working with the market, said there are also plans for a Mother’s Day festival with a bit more oomph than previous years.

Otherwise, the market will continue to have its regular contingent of farmers and crafters, as well as cideries and wineries offering there wares.

They have 100 vendors signed up for the season, and there is space for 50 to 100 others who file in as space is made available.

They usually show up at the beginning of the season, before many farmers have had their harvest and move into their booths.