The Sequim Open Aire Market is unique.

Is it a farmers market? Yes! Several of the area’s most exciting farms participate every week. Lazy J and Nash’s, two of the Peninsula’s best certified organic vegetable growing operations, feature their produce at the Open Aire Market this Saturday.

Is the Open Aire Market a local food market? Yes! Clallam County’s farmstead cheesemaker Pennie Lujan of Fairaview Farm sells her delicious selection of cow’s milk cheeses from her blue cheese wagon. Tuna Dan delivers the freshest and most economical local fish on the peninsula. The Bell Street Bakery provides freshly-baked breads and goodies every Saturday. Elwha Apiary provides local honey. Rainshadow Roasting Company brings the most freshly-roasted coffee available in Sequim.

Is the Open Aire Market a craft market? Yes. Even this late in the season, several of the dozens of talented artists and craftspeople who regularly participate will be on hand to highlight just a little bit of the artistic ability we seem to have in spades here on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Our October harvest season produce markets are, however, mostly about the food. Access to the delicious food grown right here is a revelation to many who move to the peninsula.

My mother – a voracious vegetable eater her whole life – has discovered that she really didn’t know a good veggie until she moved to Sequim, and any market farmer would call this a very common phenomenon.

If you aren’t "buying local" at the market yet, a visit this Saturday will provide great ideas – and some warm, yummy food to sample – when Nash’s culinary intern Shara Truett will be joined by Louie Bleimeister of The Alder Wood Bistro to host a live cooking demonstration called Breakfast Time.

Do you want to eat locally-grown food but tire of leafy greens? This cooking demonstration is for you. How about delicious sourdough pancakes? Hot and cold breakfast cereals featuring locally-grown grain? Let Chef Shara and Chef Louie inspire you to jump start your day with a nutritious local breakfast.

Visit the Sequim Open Aire Market during our special October hours of 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Our condensed market will be in the market square so parking will be available all along Cedar Street. See you this Saturday.

Mark Ozias is Sequim Open Air Market manager.