Plains Farmers Market opens with big turnout

On a warm, sunny Friday evening, the Plains Farmers Market kicked off its season with a big opening day turnout. Twenty-seven vendors from Plains, Paradise, Hot Springs and Thompson Falls set up under the shade trees at Fred Young Park, displaying a wide array of local products.

Now in their third year as organizers of the Farmers Market Linda Wilson and Chuck Haugen, who were on site to welcome attendees, sign up additional vendors, and distribute free heirloom garden seeds.

Wilson shared that weekly vendor prizes will continue this season, culminating in a grand prize at the end of the year. Last year’s top prize—a $1,000 check—was awarded to one lucky vendor. She noted that the prize fund is made possible because neither she nor Haugen receives compensation for their time running the market. “I like doing it, it’s fun,” Wilson said.

Opening night offered a wide variety of goods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, seeds, handmade soaps, cookies, cedar planters, and face painting by Jamie War Painting. First-time vendors Tanner and Rachel Swaner, owners of Deer Haven Farms LLC, offered homemade baked goods and quickly sold out.

The Plains Farmers Market will be held every Friday evening from 4 to 6 p.m. at Fred Young Park, continuing through mid-October.