A wider variety of coffee and chocolate will be added to the list of mouth-watering goodies available at the Squamish Farmer's Market returning Saturday, May 15 along with crafts, jewellery and entertainment.
Vendors will be lined up side by side in the parking lot next to Pavilion Park in downtown Squamish in three weeks time and at this point in time, chairman of the board Bill Brumpton thinks it could be even bigger and busier than last year.
"It looks like we're going to have about 35 vendors there opening weekend," said Brumpton. "So we're well ahead of where we were last year."
The produce supply will expand this year with some new vendors coming in from the Lower Mainland and North Arm Farms, the organic farm in Pemberton, coming back for their second year.
"We're excited to see him back," said Brumpton. "We like to encourage people to deal with our farmer vendors, because that's what a farmer's market is really about - the farmers."
Fruit also promises to show up in abundance starting in mid-June when the Okanagan fruit growers make their way down to Squamish.
Brumpton's own Garibaldi Fudge business is gearing up for the season right now, since there haven't been any fairs since the Christmas season.
"Fudge has to be fresh and when we're not actually selling at markets we don't make it," he said. "But we'll be ready for the market's opening day."
Brumpton is particularly excited about the return of their favourite coffee vendor, Pemberton Coffee Company. They haven't been back for the past few years and replacing them had proved to be difficult.
"We really like to have a coffee vendor there because people love to come have a cup of coffee," he said. "We have a seating area set up where people can sit and enjoy a coffee and pastry."
Market customers will also notice a return of old homemade favourites, such as pastries, pickled foods, honey, jams and jellies and maple syrups. However, this year will be sweeter than ever with the arrival of the Whistler Chocolate Company.
Different local groups and genres will provide live entertainment for several hours every Saturday.
"It's all about local growers and people bringing their own produce," said Brumpton. "I would say that's the biggest attraction throughout the summer.
"We're raring to go. It's always fun, especially the first couple weeks and when we have lots of people coming out to see what's new."
The market opens May 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and every subsequent Saturday until the fall.
