Mark your calendar for Winter Farmers' Market hours

The Kootenai County Farmers' Market will be holding indoor markets in buildings 1 through 3 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds over the next five months. The first event starts today at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. 

"We'll have about 55 vendors there — some of them are in small booths, and some of them occupy a double booth," said Kootenai County Farmers' Market Board President Andria Howes. "There's about 15 farmers who'll have winter squash, eggs, meats and dairy items. We have a gentleman who does microgreens and will have goat and cow's milk."  

There will also be an indoor food court and outdoor food trucks and food vendors, a lavender farmer selling body products and spices, and 40 artisan vendors filling up the rest of the indoor space. 

"There'll be lots of arts and crafts and totally giftable items, bakers and people who make sauces and salsa," Howes said.  

One of those artisan vendors is Howes. 

"I own Lake City Bakers — I've been doing this — involved in the Market for 13 years," Howes said. "I bake all kinds of bread and cookies. My mom bakes pies and cinnamon rolls." 

The four other markets are on Dec.5, Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

"Our vendors work incredibly hard to grow, produce and create the goods they bring to the late-spring, summer and fall Farmer's Market," Howes said. "These off-season events offer another opportunity to support these local businesses while keeping our market community connected year-round." 

Visit kootenaifarmersmarket.com for more information or to file a vendor application.