Annual market returns with new name, location

Blaine’s beloved summer market will return to downtown Blaine on Saturday, May 25 but with a new name and location.

Blaine Farmers Market, formerly known as the Gardener’s Market, was renamed to appeal to a broader range of vendors and will move from H Street Plaza to G Street Plaza across from Starbucks and Hill’s Chevron.

Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October, vendors will set up tents and haul in their goods. Buskers and nonprofits are welcome as well.

One of the first signs of summer, the market brings a plethora of handmade and homegrown creations in support of local farmers, gardeners and craftspeople. North Whatcom County residents attend to purchase fresh produce and meet artisans from their own community.

“I like the small community feel of it and that we’re attracting people downtown. That’s the goal on all fronts,” said Blaine city councilmember Jaime Arnett, who got involved a few months ago. “The Blaine market has been around since 2009 with a goal to encourage the local economy and community participation.”

Now, Arnett said, they just want to see the market grow.

“It started as people who had leftover fruits and vegetables, but we want to expand it to include food trucks and buskers and artists,” Arnett said.

Vendors this year include Blaine metal hobbyist Tom Erickson, Claudia’s Fairy Furniture and Fairy Houses and a variety of Whatcom County farmers.

The ever-popular 10th annual International Slug Races will occur at noon on May 25, followed by games and prizes for kids.

For more information and to stay updated on farmers market happenings, check out the market’s new Facebook page at facebook.com/blainemarket.

To participate in the market contact Carroll Solomon at the Blaine Welcome Center at 360-332-4544 or vic@cityofblaine.com.