With the recent warming of weather on the Olympic Peninsula, it’s easy to understand how a Sequimmite’s mind begins to turn towards thoughts of seasonal local produce, culinary delights and story-laden arts and crafts. These thoughts arise at precisely the right moment!

This Saturday marks the opening of Sequim’s local-one-stop-shop and downtown hub. That’s right, The Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market opens for the season this Saturday, May 1!

The Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market (SFAM) is Sequim’s foremost “shop small” experience and functions as a portal to more than 40 bright vendors.

This Saturday, guests can finally reconnect with their favorite vendors and introduce themselves to the exciting newcomers of the 2021 SFAM Market Season!

Market-goers can expect fresh, locally-grown spring vegetables, tasty food-to-go, wellness products, functional household offerings, and services, all alongside the market’s renowned art and crafts that the community has come to know and love.

Shaelee Evans of Goodness Tea offers hand-harvested-and-grown tea blends and medicinal plant starts at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. The market opens its 2021 season on May 1. Photo by Emma Jane Garcia

SFAM is kicking things off with a socially distanced ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Keep an eye out for representatives from the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce stringing a celebratory ribbon across the entrance to the market in preparation for the ceremonial snipping.

To promote social distancing, the ribbon cutting will also be live-streamed on the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

In addition to the market’s six-month awaited opening day festivities, Sequim chamber ambassadors will tie purple ribbons through the downtown corridor — marking the beginning of Sequim’s busiest season of commerce, and encouraging folks to shop local and support the small business community. These ribbons will remain through the week in anticipation of the Irrigation Festival on May 8.

Speaking of the iconic heritage festival, SFAM is thrilled to partner with the 2021 Irrigation Festival to host a petite, in-person Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair on May 8. Swing by your usual market site to enjoy a scaled-down, but still exceptional, display of innovative artists and crafters.

Dennis Westendorf of A Razor Edge Precision Sharpening takes a look at a pair of snips in need of sharpening. Westendorf joins other vendors at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market, which opens Saturday, May 1. Photo by Emma Jane Garcia

This exciting market season ahead is only attainable with the cooperation of the caring community. The Washington State Department of Health specifies how farmers markets need to operate in order to function during the coronavirus pandemic.

This operational guidance is in place to lower the risk of COVID‐19 exposure for vendors, staff, and market guests. SFAM’s primary priority is the health and safety of its vendors, market guests, market staff, and the community of Sequim.

The market thanks guests for staying home if they feel sick, wearing a mask, following the one-way foot traffic flow, maintaining social distance from other parties, and leaving their pets at home. For a full list of COVID-19 operational adjustments, please visit the market website. As mandates evolve, SFAM will adjust its policy accordingly.

This Saturday is Sequim’s first chance to dive back into the energizing world of local growers and makers, both at the market and throughout a thriving downtown. We thank those that show up to offer a hearty “hello” to the inspiring entrepreneurs of the community. Showing support for your small businesses is one of the most impactful gifts you can give to both your community and yourself.

To stay up to date with current SFAM vendors, programming news, and other market developments, be sure to follow SFAM on Instagram, Facebook and be sure to check out sequimmarket.com.

The Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market opens May 1 and runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 30. Visit your community market at City Hall Plaza, at North Sequim Avenue and West Cedar Street.

Emma Jane “EJ” Garcia is Market Manager for the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. See www.sequimmarket.com.