THOMPSON FALLS - The town of Thompson Falls celebrated the first farmers market of the summer with live music, a fun run, face painting for the kids, and a variety of booths from local businesses. Tables full of locally produced arts and crafts, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jams and jellies among others lined the open area near the rose garden on Saturday.

According to organizer Lindsey Davis, the event is in its sixth year at the current location. The farmers market was previously held at the Falls Motel.

“We have a group of committed vendors and committed shoppers that come every week. It’s a lot of work to put this on. We’ve had a great turnout so far,” said Davis.

Tables covered with baked goods like scones, muffins and other tasty goods sat next to booths adorned with handmade jewelry including rings, necklaces and earrings. As people made their way around the dozen or so booths, vendors answered questions from customers about their products.

Di Braun of Rocky Mountain Boy Nursery and Landscaping tended to his table covered with a colorful array of plants ready for a new home in someone’s garden. Cherry tomatoes, string beans, strawberries, spicy bell peppers and various herbs adorned the booth, all lovingly cared for by Braun.

“This is my fourth year coming to the farmers market. We have fruit trees, veggies and perennials. I’ve got asparagus, blueberry plants, flowers and hanging baskets,” said Braun.

Braun said the nursery specialized in what he called “edible landscaping”.

“If you are going to plant something beautiful like a shade tree, why not plant something that you can harvest off of as well? Plant a nice apple tree, pear tree, plum tree or walnut tree. They work great as a shade tree but they provide food as well,” said Braun.

Braun said while the trees he described do not flourish quite as well as they do in places like Washington or Oregon, with proper irrigation they will produce fruit.

“You do need to irrigate and mulch really well. We have good luck in Sanders County. This is considered the banana belt of Montana,” said Braun. “As long as you get adequate moisture to them they produce very well.”

Davis said the farmers market will be set up in Thompson Falls every Saturday during the summer until Sept. 28 with the exception of Aug. 10 during the huckleberry festival.