The Federal Way Farmers Market returns on Saturday, May 11. This is the 21st year of the market, and this season will feature more local farm fresh produce, fresh flower bouquets, food products, crafts, food trucks and events.
“We have about 20 new vendors. We’re real excited about that,” said Rose Ehl, director of the market. This brings the total vendors on opening day to around 70 this year.
Opening day will feature a ceremony at 10 a.m. and will begin with a prayer led by Pastor Dan Larson from the Family Life Community Church. Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and other dignitaries will be ready to kick off the 2024 season as well.
The Federal Way High School band will provide music, and there will be a variety of fun activities to celebrate moms for Mother’s Day. Kids can make cards for the holiday and get their faces painted, too.
Gardening Day is a new event that will be held the following Saturday on May 18 and feature master gardeners Donna and Jim Cox. The pair was featured as citizens of the month in the Mirror in 2016 for the community garden they helped create and maintain next door to Light of Christ Church.
“They’ll have seeds for kids to plant in little containers” and “answers to all your master gardening questions,” Ehl said.
The event will also feature plenty of vendors with plant starts and gardening tools to get your garden going. Puget Sound Energy will pass out free wildflower and vegetable seed balls, and the library will be present.
Those who enjoyed attending the Community Resource Day last year will be happy to know that the event is returning twice this summer. Last year, Ehl shared that 120 people signed up for CPR training held by South King Fire during the Community Resource Day. This year, South King Fire will be back along with the Federal Way Police Department and representatives from CHI Franciscan/Virginia Mason.
Federal Way’s Got Talent will return this year as well with trials beginning June 1.
Kids activities won’t stop at opening day. Ehl said the plan is to have a dedicated kids activity booth every week, and there is an opportunity for local businesses to sign up to host the booth.
“Businesses can sign up for that and showcase their business and do a kids activity booth at the same time,” Ehl said.
Ehl also shared her appreciation for the many vendors who have had booths at the market for many years and those that have gone on to start their own businesses after starting at the Federal Way Farmers Market.
Angel Vue is one vendor who has been there since the first year and has had four children who have all grown up helping out at the market.
“It’s been really cool to have her involved like that all these years,” Ehl said. Vue sells flowers and plants at the market.
Ehl also mentioned KC Deez barbecue and Peppa’s Lumpia, two local restaurants that got their start at the market.
The Federal Way Farmers Market will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October in the parking lot of the Commons Mall.
