**Summer Sundays can be especially busy at the Yachats Farmer’s Market on West Fourth Street.** (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)

By CHERYL ROMANO/Lincoln Chronicle

Spring brings an abundance of farm-fresh produce and handmade crafts to Lincoln County communities as farmers’ markets begin to flourish this week.

Opening on Wednesday is the Waldport Wednesday Market, followed by the Yachats Farmers Market on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10. Also open to fill shoppers’ bags are markets that opened weeks ago in Newport and this past weekend in Lincoln City and Gleneden Beach.

About 86 vendors are signed up for the Waldport market, which runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Wednesdays through Sept. 30 in the parking lot of the Waldport Community Center.

This is the second year that the city of Waldport has run the market, which will offer fresh produce and flowers, pottery, art, baked goods, jewelry, soaps, bird feeders, textiles and more. According to city recorder Megan Torres, who manages the market, new vendors include a winery, a granola bar booth, a creator of wind vanes, and pizza- and doughnut-makers.

**Members of the Seashore Literacy Ukulele Group Singers, or the SLUGS, perform at noon at the Waldport Wednesday Market.** (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)

Live music will be featured throughout the day, with a local favorite, the SLUGS, performing from noon to 1 p.m. Two food trucks will also be on hand.

“We truly have an incredible and diverse group of vendors, and each one deserves a spotlight,” Torres said. While most of the vendors signed up will attend every week, others rotate throughout the season.

In addition to the goods on sale, visitors can also take advantage of community informational services that will be available. These include representatives of the Community Emergency Response Team, Veterans’ Services and 211 Info, which connects callers to health and human services agencies.

Yachats’ market opens

Sunday marks the traditional opening of the popular Yachats Farmers Market, now in its 32^nd year. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday, vendors will line up along West Fourth Street just off U.S. Highway 101. There, shoppers can browse the offerings of 45 sellers: fresh produce (some organic), pottery, jewelry, glass, soaps, textiles, jams, jellies, baked goods, honey and more.

“We’re excited to welcome everyone back, and looking forward to meeting new friends,” said Robin Nolan, a member of the farmers market board. Nolan works at Bread & Roses Bakery for owner Blythe Collins, who is in charge of the market.

Well-behaved dogs are allowed. Shoppers are urged to bring bags for their purchases.

The market runs Sundays through mid-October, and operates on two days around the July 4 weekend, and two days around the Yachats Mushroom Festival in October.

Nolan called the market “a lovely celebration of community in our small town, and a great place to meet people and visit.” For more information on the Yachats market, go here.

Other farmers’ market in Lincoln County that already opened include:

Newport Farmers Market: Opened in late March at the corner of Highway 101 and Angle Street and runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Saturdays through November, rain or shine. About 75 vendors selling a wide range of goods: produce, cheese, baked goods, jewelry, coffee, textiles, crafts. For more, go here.
Lincoln City Sunday Market: Opened Sunday at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, Northeast Sixth St. at Highway 101. Open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 11 with produce and flowers, baked goods, candles, ironwork, Oregon wine, jams and pickles, pottery and more. For more, go here.
Gleneden Beach: The Artisan Faire at Salishan Marketplace opened Friday at The Shops at Salishan, 7755 U.S. Hwy. 101 North, Gleneden Beach. It operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting, through Oct. 10 and offers “unique creations handmade by local artists.” For more, go here.
Toledo: The Spring Indoor Community Market was created as a kick-off to the summer season and opens Thursday, May 7, and runs through the month at The ARC, 321 S.E. Third St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Summer Outdoor Community Market begins June 4 at Memorial Field and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sept. 24. The outdoor market will have more than 20 vendors selling produce, homemade arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and more. For more, go here.

People looking for markets beyond Lincoln County can find many others throughout the state by going to the Oregon Farmers Markets Association website here.