Watauga County Farmers' Market has been enjoying quite a successful 35th season this far. There is a new row of vendors between the Horn in the West main office and ticket office, offering everything from garden plants to veggies to prepared foods. There are still plenty of open parking spots for shoppers, so if you have not been to the market in a while you will be in for quite a few pleasant surprises.

The times of the Wednesday markets are also changed for this year's market. The market will be open from 4-7 starting June 17 instead of the morning times of past years. We hope you will find the new hours more convenient and enjoy the additional events we have planned for the Wednesday markets. The first attraction will be the music of Southern Exposure on the 17th. There will be plenty of fresh edibles for your mid week meals, so do plan to stop by.

This Saturday's market will be worth visiting as well with fresh strawberries, green onions, and Oakleaf and Black Seeded Simpson lettuce grown by Jerry Harvey. Brooks Farm will be there with grass fed, grass finished ground beef, ground patties, roasts, NY strip steaks, ribeyes, tenderloin (filet) sirloin, and sirloin tips.

Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery will have plenty of garden ready perennials and shrubs including lilac shrubs, Lavender, rosemary, "Blue Paradise" garden phlox, and Baptesia "Twilight Prairie Blues".

There will be plenty of home made treats at the market such as Rebecca Kaenzig's country ham biscuits, cookies, cakes and scones. Rebecca will also have coffee, lemonade and hot chocolate prepared for the market. New food vendor Jay Parr will have all natural energy bars and fresh squeezed lemonade available.

There will be a number of crafters on hand with the very best in local handmade items. Jeff Martin will be there this Saturday with functional Sgraffito ceramics, large sculptural ceramics and oil paintings with reclaimed sawmill frames. Katy Wilson and Ned Santos of Colibri will have hand wrapped gemstones, wire sculpted necklaces and individually created earrings. Amantha Bradley and Ryon Calhoun of Earth Harmonies will be able to fashion a custom ring for you right on the spot, and they also will have wire wrapped trees and hand etched glass items available. Caron Baker Wike will bring her lace and leaf pottery including has new spring leaf pots with a food safe red glaze.

Find us at the Horn in the West in Boone, turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918 for more information. We will be there rain or shine!