In the past, the Sequim Open Aire Market has taken a hiatus from mid-October to the beginning of May.

That’s no longer the case. The popular outdoor market has rounded up more than 40 peninsula vendors and will host an off-season indoor holiday event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula Carroll C. Kendall unit from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26.

"Last year we tried an indoor event for the first time in April and it was a real hit," said Mark Ozias, market manager. "We thought we’d try to do more of it this year."

Additional indoor events are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, April 4, also at the Boys & Girls Club in Sequim. Though market managers are renting the facility, Ozias said he’s hopeful this will be the beginning of "a closer relationship with another important community organization."

"This fulfills one of our market goals," he continued, "to support farming and fine art opportunities for youth."

During the special holiday event, representatives from Nash’s Organic Produce, Rainbow Farm and A New Leaf will present cooking demonstrations with fresh food. Guests can sample stir-fries, squash-cornbread and whole grain dishes, perhaps even become inspired to whip up healthy food in their own kitchen, Ozias said.

Community members are encouraged to attend the indoor market and get to know the hands that feed them. "The food chain has become so long and convoluted that frankly, it’s unsafe," Ozias said. "The element of trust in knowing who grows your food feels good and provides you with security."

"Plus, buying produce grown here is the most direct and easy thing anybody can do to save farmland and stimulate the community," Ozias added.

Vendors will offer a wide range of high-quality handmade items, fine art, peninsula-processed food, clothing, bath and body products and more. Live music by area youth bands will fill the air, and breakfast and lunch will be available from Cedar Creek Cuisine.

Sequim cultivator Lowell Dietz will sell his homegrown mushrooms.

"We are really enthusiastic about this," Ozias said. "We invite everybody to stop by and say ‘hello’ to their favorite market vendors."

The Sequim Open Aire Market resumes in May, the same Saturday as the Sequim Irrigation Festival grand parade.

For more information, go online to www.sequimmarket.com.