Farmers’ Market heats up
by Dina Gross
 Hooray! Mother Nature is coming around to bring summer to the Willamette Valley and, lucky for us, we're reaping the benefits in the form of beautiful fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more at the Cedar Mill Farmers’ Market (CMFM) on Saturdays from 8-1 in the Sunset Mall next to Bandito Taco and across from Sunset Park.
For our annual Blueberry Bash on July 16th, growers have their fingers crossed for plenty of ripe blueberries. The good news lately is that summer looks to be getting back on track in time for berries! Ima Blueberry will join in to make the 2011 annual Blueberry Bash the best one ever. Stop in for photo opportunities with Ima between 11 and 1, though she may be with us even earlier. One never knows with these giant blueberry people. She will hand out recipes and share extra surprises such as pencils, stickers, and more. Activities for the Blueberry Bash may again include a Haiku-writing competition, and market guests can win half-flats of delicious blueberries, donated by Chris Valenti during fun contests. Blue balloons, blue facepaint, and blue sidewalk chalk art will surely be part of the fun again, with bluegrass music, too, from 9:30 - 1.
Other fruits and vegetables will be celebrated as summer heats up, with a Peach Party, a Salsa Saturday, and more in coming weeks. Most Saturdays, prepared food vendors offer breakfast and lunch options too, so you can shop, eat, and be entertained all in one convenient visit.
Facebook users can "like" CMFM and also can make wall-posts on the market's page. Sign up to keep up with the goings-on at your local farmers' market by sending your e-news request to the manager of the Market, Dina Gross, at cmfmarket@gmail.com. E-news recipients enjoy weekly recipes for what's fresh in the market, courtesy of volunteer Pat Taylor. Helping the market is a family affair for the Taylors; Pat's husband, Larry, is also a big supporter, and brings his full band, LT&Co to the Market at least once a season, to entertain the crowd.
Music in July includes local guitarist/vocalist Kreg Kovalik and market favorite Carley Baer. Kreg has delighted audiences at many local events, including the Leedy Grange Spring Craft Fair. Carley performed at the Market a couple times in 2010, and so charmed market guests and vendors that many requests were made for her return this season.
The weather is looking up and the farmers are working long hours on their land so they can bring the produce, plants, and flowers, to us right here in Cedar Mill. Come on out to show your support for local agriculture and family farms. See you at the market, Saturdays through October. Thanks!
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