MOSES LAKE — “Anyone who thinks the market has become stagnant, come check again,” said Dawn Leslie, manager of the Moses Lake Farmers Market, which kicked off its summer season Saturday.

And summer-like it was.

Beneath a sunny sky and in comfortable temperatures in the 70s, about 50 booths lined the asphalt paths of McCosh Park, revealing Columbia Basin bounties: meats, baked goods, jams, fried foods, produce, crafts, jewelry, art, quilts and much more.

Big Bend Community College Professor Dr. John Owens was even set up in a corner with his son, Milton, filling the park with xylophone tunes and a drum beat.

Because the farmers market had a regular season last year, organizers were confident they could do it again this year by following the same level of precaution, despite the canceled Spring Festival, Leslie said. As one of the few events remaining last year, this decision really put the market on the map.

More than half of Saturday’s vendors were brand-new to the market, she said. It’s growing like never before.

With the COVID-19 restrictions in the area, the market is a vital small-business booster, she said. It’s important to maintain that momentum throughout the season.

“We boomed so much with shopping local and supporting our local economy that we need to keep on going throughout the new season,” she said.

The Moses Lake Farmers Market will be at McCosh Park Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the last Saturday of October.

Sam Fletcher can be reached via email at [email protected].