Maple Valley Farmers Market

      Why should area residents attend the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market this Saturday?  For one, time is running out—the Market has only three Saturdays remaining this season.  In addition, it’s prime harvest season for delicious apples and squash and pears and peaches. And, to add yet another reason to come to the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market this Saturday, it’s the second annual Prime Time Business Expo at the Market.

     The Business Expo, presented by the Greater Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Lake Wilderness branch of KeyBank, provides an opportunity for the community to browse the products and services of local businesses.  Local businesses will have demonstrations, displays, promotional materials, and door prizes inside the gym at Rock Creek Elementary from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Admission is free, and door prizes will be awarded.  Kevin Patterson, Chamber of Commerce President, said, “This is a great opportunity for the community to discover or become reacquainted with many of our local businesses in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It’s free, there are some great door prizes, and it’s a wonderful way to complete your visit to the Farmers’ Market.  The local businesses who have signed up so far include: Wilderness Animal Hospital, Millwork Outlet, Yummy Tummy, Carol’s Maple Valley Floral, Covington Copy it, Mail it, Fairwood CPA Services, BECU, Just for Them Gift Baskets, Aflac, Bella Fleur of Maple Valley, Junior Junction Day School, Edwards Jones, Vine Maple Place, The Loft Salon & Spa, The Water Distillery, The Blind Lady, Law Offices of David Moe, Party, Etc. John L. Scott, Holiday Inn, Cascades Chiropractic, Woody’s Floor Coverings, Tahoma Athletic Club, Custom Fit Nutrition, Thrive Community Fitness, Rejuve with Massage, Decor & You, Premier Designs Jewelry, Maple Valley Signs, MD Cote’ Medical Laser & Spa, SCSG & ERD Collections, Amway Global, MV Community Center, and Command Computers.

     One of this week’s Market non-profit booths will be hosted by the Tahoma Drama Booster Club.  Initiated in late 2008 by two parents who wanted to build support and help to grow the local drama program, the Boosters provide concessions and flower sales at local youth school productions, coordinate volunteer support, assist with drama production promotion, and apply for grants and financial support for the booming elementary through high school program.

     Another special event on Saturday is the visit by the Maple Valley/Enumclaw Master Gardeners, who arrive armed with multiple resources and a great deal of training to answer even the trickiest of gardening questions. Emily’s Sunshine Room, a business owned by a youth entrepreneur, will also join the  Market this Saturday.

     And, to add a lively spirit to the week, Gary Benson returns to the musical arena with a solo set of original and cover material and the  Pi-R Square Dance Club will entertain all with their square-dancing routines.

    Never to be forgotten, of course, is the foundation of the Market—the vendors.  In addition to the abundant local, fresh, harvest produce, the stalls are brimming with fresh flowers, cheese, dairy products, organic beef, jam, marinated vegetables, hot sauce, bakery products, prepared foods, breakfast and lunch items, beverages, and artisan products.  Visitors may want to pay a special visit to a vendor who has been with the Market since its inception three years ago—4-Ever Memories, owned by Christel Logsdon. Her booth sells an array of her creative hand-made products, including whimsical decorative solar yard lights, crocheted-top kitchen towels, washable microwave potato bags, hot pads and pot holders, shopping totes and fabric baskets, 100% cotton knitted and crocheted dish cloths, embroidered flour sack dish towels, and an assortment of aprons-half aprons and reversible full-sized ones. Logsdon’s booth will recall memories of one’s grandmother’s kitchen and will elicit a desire to do some old-fashioned baking.

       The Market’s bounty is a poignant treasure, for the clock is ticking on this third season, with only three remaining Saturdays. Open from 9 a.m. – 1:00  p.m. at Rock Creek Elementary, the Market is Maple Valley’s “Saturday morning place to be!” More information on Maple Valley Farmers’ Market is available at (425) 463-6751 or at  info@maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org.  All MVFM fans are encouraged to “Friend us on FACEBOOK.”    NOTE:  This article was written by Brooke Dillon and posted by Victoria Laise Jonas.