Images of Cowlitz County - Relocation Information

Site Sponsors

Archives

Read past editions of Images of Cowlitz County magazine.

Local Advertisers

Local Advertisers for the Cowlitz County Area

Site Sponsors

Contact Us

Feedback
Let us know your thoughts...

Advertising Info
Need more info? Looking for ad specifications?

Special Section

PeaceHealth - St. John Medical
Click here to read

Local Advertisers

Local Advertisers for the Cowlitz County Area

Culture

Web Page Tools Digg! This Article

Farmers Markets Across Cowlitz County Feature Fresh Produce and Crafts

Got a green thumb? You’re in luck. Cowlitz County offers a variety of outdoor markets where area residents sell produce‚ plants‚ interesting crafts and artwork.

The Longview Saturday Market is the newest addition‚ and it takes place in downtown Longview on Saturdays from Mother’s Day weekend through the first weekend in October. It began in 2007 and experienced huge success in its first year.

“We had more than 97 different vendors participate over the first six weeks‚” says Hank Sowerwine‚ director of the Longview Saturday Market. “There’s always a big variety‚ from plants‚ vegetables‚ fruits and berries to jewelry‚ art‚ seafood and unique food products. The only rule we have for vendors is you must be selling some­thing you produce or create yourself.”

That makes for some pretty creative shopping.

“There’s a guy who makes pickled olives and garlic‚ and he hands out samples. There’s always a line at his booth‚” Sowerwine says. “A group of Russian women sell Russian food in the food court‚ and they cook it from scratch right there. Another guy has a mining company and builds what he mines into furniture.”

Shopping isn’t the only thing to do at the Longview Saturday Market. There’s also a children’s craft area and an entertainment stage that hosts every­thing from live orchestras to hot dog eating contests.

“We’re creating an experience for every­one that’s unique and positive enough to be remembered as a place people want to go back to‚” Sowerwine says.

Many Longview Saturday Market vendors also participate in the Cowlitz Community Farmer’s Market‚ held Tues­days (May through October) and Saturdays (April through October) at the fairgrounds and Wednesdays (May through September) in downtown Longview. Additional markets in the area include the Kelso Bridge Market and the Kalama Saturday Market and Antique Street Fair.

Story by Jessica Mozo

Back to top