Summer is on its way – grilling season begins, the weather gets hot and people spend long days in the outdoors. The Kirkland Wednesday Market begins on June 1.

The Kirkland Wednesday Market runs from 2-7 p.m. Wednesdays through October. The farmer’s market is a place where people go to get food, flowers or plants, or to just relax and enjoy the weather. Last year, the market was in Marina Park by the water, but this year it will be moving to Park Lane in downtown Kirkland, where there is less wind and it is easier for the vendors, says Christina Martin, the new manager of KWM.

The market will have approximately 40 vendors this year, 24 of which are farmers selling fruit, flowers, berries, and vegetables and four vendors are nursery and plant vendors.

Some returning favorites will be: Classic Kettle Corn, Bill’s Fruit, Ninety Farm (which sells beef, pork, and lamb), Wilson Fish, Val’s Surroundings (a beekeeper, and collector of honey), La Pasta (fresh pasta made daily), Five Acre Farm (where you can find organic veggies fresh from Whidbey Island), and Yeng Garden (lovely fresh cut flowers). Some new vendors this year will be: Seattle Bagel (bagels made only from Washington grains supporting local farmers), G2 Greens (planter boxes and hanging plants), Collins Family Orchard, and Urban Co-op Garden (organic veggies).

While you are at the market you can park in the lot on the corner of Lake Washington Boulevard and Central Way in downtown Kirkland, or in the lot by the Old Antique Mall on Main Street. There will be a road closure on Park Lane during the market.

This year KWM is focused on supporting local family farms.

“We are really focused on family farmers and bringing them back to the market,” said Martin.

Martin is excited about her new role as the manager of the Kirkland Wednesday Market. She was a vendor for nine years, selling jam with her son, and she always enjoyed meeting farmers.

“I love the community and working with family farmers,” says Martin.

The market has something for people of all ages to enjoy and is a great way to plan your dinner, have a little snack, or get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Eight-year-old Allison Hoff lives in Kirkland.