Maple Valley Farmers Market

     Maple Valley Farmers’ Market will be celebrating its 3rd Annual MVFM Veteran & Troop Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 20, during normal Market hours from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at Rock Creek Elementary School. 

     Headlining the festivities, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will be the Master of Ceremonies for this special ceremony–retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Chuck Hardaway, locally renowned for his career as a military pilot.  Hardaway flew 104 combat missions in Vietnam and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired in 1977 after 22 years of military service, and then volunteered for seven years on the Area Council, ten years on the Maple Valley School Board, and two years on the Maple Valley City Council; he also served as chairman of the Seattle-King County Private Industry Council.  Additionally, for the past thirteen years Hardaway has written a popular weekly editorial column for the Voice of the Valley entitled “One Man’s Opinion.” On Saturday Hardaway will introduce the veterans and will speak about “The Cost of War.”

     In addition to conducting the opening ceremonies and flag ceremony, Maple Valley/Black Diamond VFW Post 50502 will host an information booth. And, Market visitors should make certain to see the City of Maple Valley Wall of Honor, a tribute to veterans and soldiers from the Maple Valley region, which will be on display at the Market.

     In addition to the recognition events specifically geared toward Veterans/ and Troops Day, Maple Valley Historical Society will host an information booth.  The Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization formed over 35 years ago, with a current paid membership of over 300 people and organizations. Its goals are to “teach people about the history of the Greater Maple Valley area, provide a means for people to do research on their heritage, and to showcase the history of the area through maintaining three museums with displays of the past” (http://maplevalleyhistorical.com/).

     Other participating non-profit groups include King County Master Recycler Composter Program, Maple Valley/Enumclaw Master Gardeners, and Peace Lutheran Church Preschool is planning special crafts for the youngsters.

     The Farmers’ Market season is over halfway complete on this tenth Saturday of the season, so Maple Valley residents will certainly want to visit the 40+ booths and stock up on fresh, local produce; cheese; baked goods; meat; fresh flower bouquets; beautiful hand-crafted artisan creations; and delicious prepared booths from the six booths selling breakfast and lunch items, organic tea, soup, and salad, and much more.

     The always-popular weekly entertainment will be provided by a return visit from Sealth, a pop grunge band from Maple Valley.  According to the group’s Facebook page, the band “blends a potentially dangerous cocktail made of equal parts hometown grunge and classic rock with a heavy dose of hairspray. Combining musical influences ranging from Poison to Pearl Jam and Yes to Neil Young, Sealth can at one moment be seen in the middle of a choreographed ‘dance move,’ then be heard wailing an angsty shriek just before exploding into an epic blues-inspired guitar solo the next.”

     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,” and to remember that the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market is the “Saturday morning place to be.”   NOTE:  This article was written by Brooke Dillon and posted by Victoria Laise Jonas.