Farmers Market starts Friday at Elochoman Marina

The Elochoman Marina Farmers Market will begin its season this Friday and continue throughout the summer on Fridays from 3-6 p.m.

Last year when Rob and Diane Stockhouse decided to discontinue the market on their Island property, Wahkiakum County Port 1 was asked to take it over. After some consideration, commissioners agreed.

“Lots of our regular local vendors that were at Stockhouses want to come back,” said Mackenzie Jones, administrative assistant at the port and the market manager.

The farmers market will be located at the marina in Cathlamet. In the past, people who traveled to the area by boat would take the trolley to the market. The trolley is long gone, and will no longer be necessary with the market in its more centralized location.

The marina is expected to be busy this Memorial Day weekend. Yacht clubs from around the region will be docked in the marina and with sturgeon season in full swing, fishermen are expected too.

River Mile 38 Brewing Company will open its doors as usual at 4 p.m. on Friday if shoppers would like to end their afternoon with a craft beer.

As of last Friday, Jones had seven vendors but was hoping for more.

“I’m keeping registration open until each market, in case someone decides at the last minute that they want to join us, Jones said. “I’ll always have space.”

Booths are $10. There will be red and green sun sails to keep vendors and shoppers in the shade, and power will be provided for vendors who need it.

Jones has at least four musicians signed up to play music throughout the season. Dave McKenzie will be playing this Friday.

Vendors will be selling produce, cheese, soaps, flowers, and more at this first market. Jones has been in contact with some food vendors, but none are available yet.

There has been some concern about the day and time, but the port decided to keep the same hours as the Stockhouses, 3-6 p.m. on Fridays.

“I wanted to make everybody happy, but it’s not possible,” Jones said. “This way it’s easier to remember.”