What’s Happening at the Market: Season ends in October, winter events upcoming

By Emma Jane Garcia For the Sequim Gazette • October 19, 2022 1:30 am
Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension Staff with Her Farm greet visitors at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.
Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension Staff with Her Farm greet visitors at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

It’s hard to believe that the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market arrives at the end of its 27th season in just two weeks.

Guests can don their spookiest costumes and celebrate the final market of the general season on Saturday, Oct. 29.

A Saturday morning spent at the farmers market in October is a quintessential experience. These final two markets of the general season are sure to be picturesque.

With this fall’s unseasonably warm temperatures, a visit to the market this time of year ensures a sampling of flavors across the seasons. Plump pumpkins nestle into displays alongside exotic, locally grown melons. Winter squash like rich acorn and chipper delicatas mingle with juicy red tomatoes. Brimming displays of zesty garlic, tangy onions, and potatoes pair easily with fresh vegetables like leafy greens, fresh cabbage, zucchini and crunchy broccoli.

Fruit offerings continue to astonish at the market right now with locally grown strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, and grapes. Growers are also sourcing the highest quality organic nectarines and peaches from Eastern Washington.

This year, fall in Sequim means that locally focused dishes will be exceptionally diverse in taste due to the variety of fresh produce still thriving in Sequim’s microclimate. Market guests will discover a similar theme throughout the market bakeries. As creations continue to feature the juicy flavors of the lengthy summer, shoppers have also begun to enjoy the much-anticipated return of spiced fall classics.

Market guests can stock up on goodies to complement any mood throughout the week, pairing just as well with a sun-dappled afternoon as a chilly, crisp morning.

Artisans have begun incorporating harvest, equinox, and spooky themes into their work while maintaining a focused eye on the upcoming holiday season. October is a great month for locals to get a head start on their gift list.

Holiday shopping events

If one prefers to do their holiday shopping later in the year, they can fear not! The market team is currently hard at work curating two special events throughout the holiday season to provide Sequim locals and visitors the opportunity to shop local with their favorite vendors throughout the gift-giving time of year.

Shoppers can mark their calendars now for two special Winter Markets: The November Market on Nov. 19 and The December Market on Dec. 17 — both are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the market’s usual location, the Sequim Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St. These festive markets will feature Sequim’s favorite market vendors, live music, dance performances, family activities, and more. With several extra weeks to prepare for these special markets, farmers will come with generous harvests, just in time for your holiday meals.

Artisans present never-before-seen pieces, unique to this time of year, perfect for holiday gifts, and reflective of the Olympic Peninsula.

Get involved

Riding on the momentum from a dynamic and lively market season, 2023 is sure to be exciting for Sequim’s downtown market.

Interested in joining the market mix in 2023 next year? SFAM will open online applications on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Farmers, fishers, growers, chefs, makers, and crafters are encouraged to submit their applications online through Feb. 6. To stay in the loop for application updates, subscribe to the market newsletter on sequimmarket.com or follow along on SFAM on Facebook or Instagram.

As the seasons change, the team behind your market is elated to continue celebrating the extraordinary local growers and makers that make our community special.

The Sequim Farmers and Artisans Market happens every Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through Oct. 29. Join the market for two special events from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. Visit your community market at Sequim Civic Center Plaza at North Sequim Avenue and West Cedar Street. Be sure to tune in on Thursday at 4 p.m. to KSQM 91.5 FM for the live radio “Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market Update.”

Emma Jane Garcia is the director of the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market

Open: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 29

Location: Sequim Civic Center Plaza and Centennial Place, downtown Sequim

More info: manager@sequimmarket.com

On the web: sequimmarket.com

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Beanstalk Farm offers a variety of edible delights at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Beanstalk Farm offers a variety of edible delights at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Staff at the Finnriver Farm & Cidery booth at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market greet visitors.

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Staff at the Finnriver Farm & Cidery booth at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market greet visitors.

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Tampopo Farm offers a colorful display of fresh flowers at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

Photo by Amy Nash for Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula and NODC/WSU Clallam Extension / Tampopo Farm offers a colorful display of fresh flowers at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.