MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Farmers Market will open Saturday for the season in high style, with live music, entertainment, a raffle, a scavenger hunt and a ribbon-tying ceremony with Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz to symbolize the community coming together at the market. The event is in keeping with the theme of the market this year, according to an announcement from the Market Manager Christine Haguewood.  

“This year’s theme, ‘Tied Together by Community,’ highlights the power of local connections – bringing together farmers, artisans and neighbors for a fresh, meaningful start to the season,” Haguewood wrote. 

The Moses Lake Farmers Market was established in 1978 and takes place every Saturday from the beginning of May through the end of October at McCosh Park. The number of vendors varies, but this year’s market will kick off with more than 50, Haguewood wrote in her statement. 

Saturday’s opening will include entertainment from Spokane musician Nick Grow, according to the market’s social media. After that, the market will alternate Saturdays with Columbia Basin Allied Arts bringing music to the park. 

This is the third year for CBAA’s Music at the Market program, CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell said.  

“We would show up just for occasional farmers markets, and we would occasionally bring an artist to play while we were there,” Cardwell said. “And then we realized that if we weren't doing that, there were several days that the market’s own budget wouldn't allow to pay for musicians to play. We really feel like it adds a special element to the market.” 

Music at the Market will feature live music the second and fourth Saturday of every month, with local artists Days of Honey, Whitley, The Pangaleers and Dimestore Prophets frontman Ray Glover.  

“We have artists who've never played at the market before, and we even have artists that are coming from out of the region to play,” Cardwell said. 

One of those acts is Hina and Ryuga Allen, a young brother and sister duo from Ellensburg. Another is indie singer-songwriter Andru Gomez from Moscow, Idaho. 

“He is an awesome, completely versatile artist, and he brings a really super fun set and energy,” Cardwell said. 

The Moses Lake Farmers Market Opening Day starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Haguewood’s announcement. 

“It's more than just an event,” Swartz said. “It's … wholly put on by people who live here to celebrate what we do here as a community, which is agriculture. It's a venue where all community members can come together.” 

    Isaac Lnenicka, from Liberty Farms based in Soap Lake, breaks open ginger for a customer to smell at the Moses Lake Farmers Market last year.
  

    Dozens of apples are stacked for customers at last year’s Moses Lake Farmers Market, as customers wander by.