Maple Valley Farmers Market

     It hardly seems possible that the third season of the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market will draw to its close Saturday at 1:00.  Final Saturday or not, there will be no quiet exit for the Market—rather, the day will be packed full of celebration events. Breast Cancer Awareness will be the theme of the week, a fitting tribute since Maple Valley’s own incredibly successful local team, Valley Girls and Guys, led the state and nation in fundraising for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk, raising more than $320,000 by the second day of the walk. To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Day, everyone who wears pink to the market will get a surprise at the Information Booth.  In addition, local 3-Day representatives will be at the Market, as will Multicare. And, Kim and Jack Emmons of 4-Corners John L. Scott will have a breast cancer awareness information education booth set up, along with free giveaways (Note:  the Emmonses will also be fundraising at Safeway every weekend in October. Come support the cause and get a free hotdog!). 

     Joining  in the non-profit booths will be Sandy Bruce of Covington Quilt Guild; Stephanie Thomas with King County Master Recycler Composter Program; Clare Nance and the Green Team from Tahoma High; Maple Valley City Council; and the Maple Valley/Enumclaw Master Gardeners. Fortunate MVFM visitors can get their questions answered while they are filling their Market bags with the freshest of produce for the week ahead.

     A highlight of each week’s Market is its musical entertainment.  This week’s foot-tapping music will be provided at 11:00 by Josh’s Junction of Olympia, WA, featuring acoustic resophonic and acoustic guitar, along with a variety of other acoustic instruments. The group plays a mix of folk, country, blues, bluegrass and old-timey music, and enjoys performing at community events.

     If that’s not enough to draw visitors to this final Saturday, the cookie-decorating opportunity is certain to appeal. George’s Bakery, a North Bend favorite, and a highly-ranked destination on Trip Advisor, City Search, and Yelp, has been a star of MVFM for these last two seasons.  Children and adults alike “ooh” and “aah” over the bigger-than-life, dream-come-true baked goods at this booth.  On this final Saturday, Joe and Kathy McKeown , owners of George’s Bakery, will sponsor a gingerbread cookie decorating event, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and lasting until all of the gingerbread cookies disappear. Victoria Laise-Jonas, Market President, urges everyone with a sense of artistry and a child-like adoration of frosting to attend this fun event.  Laise-Jonas said, “Joe and his partner Kathy have been so supportive of our Farmers’ Market, and we are so lucky to have them vend at our market. I believe everyone with a sweet tooth would agree! Independent bakers are becoming fewer and fewer, and I am thankful that they have chosen to be part of our Farmers’ Market family.”

     Of course, the core of the Market, even in its final hours, is the vendors.  A special vendor this week will be Piercy Farms of Moses Lake, who are bringing huge mounds of  orange pumpkins,  freshly-picked white and yellow corn, and other bountiful fall vegetables.  They will join the other farmers selling apples, squashes, onions, eggplant, peppers, and other freshly-harvested harbingers of fall.  It’s also visitors’ last weekend until next June to stock up on the array of balsamic vinegars, local honey, meats from Lind’s Meat, biscotti for your freezer, fresh goat cheese, and organic granola, as well as all of the artistic creations (Christmas shopping, anyone?).  Remember that none of these items will be available again until June 2012!  All of the processed food vendors will be at the Market on Saturday, as well, offering hot soups, hamburgers, cookies, sandwiches, bagels, and more—both breakfast and lunch goodies are plentiful.

     It’s the end of a highly successful MVFM season and a day not to be missed. Stop by and savor the experience, on this final Maple Valley Farmers’ Market.  It’s the “Saturday morning place to be” from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Rock Creek Elementary School. 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.