On Tuesday, May 3, the Carnation Farmers Market will kick off its 2016 season with an opening bell at 3 p.m. Opening day festivities include music by Poindexter, a Maypole dance, “Take a Walk with the Doc” from Tolt River Family Medicine, floral crown making, and market tours.

Bring your shopping bags; many of past seasons’ favorite vendors are returning this year, featuring fresh produce, wood-fired rustic breads, baked goods and soy soaps and candles. New vendors will offer more local produce and flowers, chicken, pork, eggs and ice cream.

For opening day, early arrivals will receive free snow pea starts, donated by Camp Korey.

The Carnation Farmers Market is open Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. May 3 through Oct. 25, with an additional Thanksgiving market on Nov. 22. The market is in the heart of downtown Carnation on the corner of Bird Street and Stossel Avenue in The Tolt Commons Community Shelter. Music on the Grass, art activities with Joe Lee Davidson, cooking demonstrations and samples, tours, and children’s activities are regular features at the market.

This season, the market will accept cash, credit/debit cards, SNAP/EBT (formerly known as foodstamps), WIC, senior FMNP checks and will offer Fresh Bucks, a double your dollars matching program for SNAP shoppers.

A complete schedule of music and events can be found on the Carnation Farmers Market website at www.carnationfarmersmarket.org. For more information contact Lindsay Nessel, Carnation Farmers Market Manager at (425) 765-8764 or by email at lindsay@snovalleytilth.org.