Yakima Farmers Market readies for 11th season

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Farmers Market is back and Elvis will be there to greet it.

For the fourth year in a row, an Elvis Presley impersonator will welcome farm and craft vendors and shoppers back to the Yakima Farmers Market, which will hold the opening day of its 11th season on Sunday.

"I'm always excited about it," said Don Eastridge, market manager.

Other Farmers Market favorites will be back this year, too. That includes Kids Days every third Sunday of the month, featuring a petting zoo and other kids activities. Also back are monthly cooking classes, though which Sunday of the month is still uncertain, Eastridge said.

Like every year, the market will start with asparagus as the main produce item and grow in variety and number of vendors as the Yakima Valley's bounty ripens. Eastridge expects about 25 produce and craft vendors Sunday, climbing to more than 100 before the season ends.

In fact, Eastridge plans to expand about a half block south along Third Street. The market is on Third Street between the Capitol Theatre and the Millennium Plaza.

Eastridge says pottery demonstrations also will be back this summer after an eight-year absence.

Yakima is one of four farmers markets in Central Washington.

The Goldendale Saturday Market opens for the season Saturday in a new location, the corner of Simcoe Street and Roosevelt Drive just off the U.S. Highway 97 exit.

The market is in its fifth year and organizers figured it had outgrown its downtown location.

"That is the very good news," said Earlene Sullivan, the market manager.

Sullivan has 30 vendors signed up so far and expects more as the summer goes on. The market sometimes has live music, and Sullivan said she's always looking for performers.

The Ellensburg and Prosser farmers markets opened last weekend.

Here's a look at times and places of local farmers markets:

* Prosser Farmers Market --
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays in Prosser City Park at Seventh Street and Sommers Avenue. Info: 509-786-9174, www.prosserfarmersmarket.com.

* Kittitas Farmers Market --
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays on Fourth Avenue between Pearl and Pine streets in downtown Ellensburg. Info: 888-925-2204, www.ellensburg-chamber.com.

* Goldendale Saturday Market -- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at Simcoe Street and Roosevelt Drive near U.S. Highway 97. Info: 509-773-3400, www.goldendalechamber.org.

* Yakima Farmers Market --
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays in front of the Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. Info: 509-457-5765, www.yakimafarmersmarket.org.