ELIZABETH NEUMAN/Yakima Herald-Republic Katsumi Taki offers free apricots to shoppers on the opening day of Yakima's farmer's market Sunday , July 18, 1999. Taki and friend Mike Kloster (left) sold organic fruits and vegetables from the Mair- Farm Taki in Wapato,Washington. Links   E-mail             Print              Comments (1) Advertisement

Time flies. So do husks of corn, loaves of bread, jars of honey, bunches of basil, wreaths of peppers, pounds of cherries and tomatoes and cherry tomatoes -- right off the tables.

It's probably impossible to guess just how many pounds of fresh fruit and produce -- and arts and crafts, and other wares -- have been sold at the Yakima Farmers Market since its inception 10 years ago.

But market manager Don Eastridge estimates vendors these days are collectively "bringing in $350,000 a year on the average."

But there was a time when organizers feared for the market's survival: "It's had its ups and downs," Eastridge says. "There was a period we weren't sure if it would exist; we ran into some financial problems. But we pulled out of that."

To celebrate its 10th year, the Yakima Farmers Market is hosting special festivities this weekend. The party begins Saturday night. Admission is free.

A beer garden and food vendors will set up on South Third Street in front of the Capitol Theatre. Blues guitarist Alex Wilson is set to perform at 6 p.m., followed by the Blue Tropics at 8.

"We'll have a lot of kids' activi-ties, too," Eastridge says. "It's a family affair."

The celebration continues Sunday with the market at its regular time, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., where approximately 60 vendors -- most of them local --will be selling their goods in the stretch of South Third Street from Yakima to Chestnut avenues.

"There's a variety of every-thing, anything that's good in Washington," Eastridge says. "I'd like to see it keep growing."

The 10-year milestone is an important one for the community, according to Sean Hawkins, deputy executive director of the Committee for Downtown Yakima. The market itself is a vital part of downtown, he says.

"The major role it plays in our revitalization is that of a gathering place," Hawkins says. "People are going there to pick up Yakima's finest produce, but they're also going there just as much to be entertained and see their friends. And that's the backbone of a strong community: a gathering place for everybody."