Chelan Evening Farmers Market enters 15th season with growing vendor list

CHELAN – Now in its 15th year, the Chelan Evening Farmers Market continues to thrive, offering residents and visitors a growing variety of locally grown produce, handmade goods and prepared foods each Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Park.

The seasonal market, which runs from the first Thursday in May through the last Thursday in October, features anywhere from 25 to 55 vendors each week—all of whom must meet the market's requirements that products be either handmade or hand-grown.

“This is about our 15th year in business, providing a place for local artisans and farmers to sell their wares,” market manager April Leaf said. “Our only requirements are that it's handgrown or handmade by you.”

So far this season, the market has already welcomed approximately 10 new vendors, including a diverse range of food vendors. Among the additions are a vendor selling savory hand pies, another offering Indian fry bread, tacos and burgers, and others serving house-made gelato, sorbet, and frozen soft-serve.

“We also have Little Pineapple, which is a traveling, homemade, frozen soft serve,” Leaf said. “Pineapple is one of the flavors they make and if you haven't had it, it's fantastic.”

In addition to fresh produce from farms and organic growers, marketgoers will find artisan breads, pastries and cinnamon rolls from Mountain Baking Company, and locally made cheese from Laurel’s Crown Farmstead Cheese.

Craft vendors round out the mix with a broad range of handmade goods including carved wooden spoons, gemstone jewelry made from stones dug and polished by the artists themselves, hand puppets reminiscent of Muppets, pottery, handbags, and garments made from repurposed materials.

Live music is also part of the experience this season, with performers including Mac Potts and Ally Paige scheduled to play.

“Right now, we have over 30 vendors and our record maximum number of vendors is 55,” Leaf said. “I’m hoping to break that record this year, considering all the new people I have already.”

The market is an important local resource to help the community and environment by shopping locally, Leaf said.

“You’re supporting your local farmers,”she said. You’re getting your food fresh—it was picked that morning or at the latest the night before. And it’s not been sitting in a warehouse for 30 days and shipped in a truck across the country.”

The market accepts WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits, helping make fresh food accessible to more families.

The farmers market also offers a beautiful place to shop, relax and enjoy Chelan’s Riverwalk Park.

“I think it's one of the prettiest parks there is to spend a couple hours in,” she said.

For more information, visit chelanfarmersmarket.org.