Submitted by Olympia Farmers Market
On Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. our community will gather at the Olympia Farmers Market to celebrate the annual Berry Harvest season. Our local berry season is a spectacular procession of berry crops that thrive in the Pacific Northwest! And, when the harvests end all too quickly, we must wait the better part of a year to experience fresh, local berries again. To celebrate this long-awaited harvest, the Olympia Farmers Market partners with local farms and businesses to host a day ‘jam’ packed with activity and tasty treats for all ages!
Help us spread the word! For the first time, the Market will host a series of short workshops to inspire your connection with the world of local berries!
11-11:30 a.m. – Story Time in the Garden with TRL. ‘Berry’ fun music, movement, and books for the whole family.
12-12:30 p.m. – Helping Pollinators with Olympia Beekeepers Association. Learn how to identify local pollinators & help them thrive in your backyard.
1-1:30 p.m. – Soil Testing for Success with Thurston Conservation District. Learn best practices for soil sampling, interpreting test results, & improving your soils. Bring your soil sample to be tested by TCD’s soil specialists! (Cost $25 cash or check; Testing occurs offsite and includes individualized interpretation report from TCD Staff)
2-2:30 p.m. – Growing Berries with Burnt Ridge Orchard & Nursery. Join renowned grower and educator, Michael Dolan to learn how to plant, tend, and harvest berry crops that grow best in our area. Plants available for purchase.
Did you know the Berry Harvest Celebration is a fundraiser for the Market’s Farm to Table Holiday Food Drive? Every year, we hand-craft and sell servings of the famous Market Berry Shortcake, and we commit all proceeds to the Holiday Food Drive. In partnership with local organizations that help families in need, we deliver Market sourced meal boxes during the holiday season. Through this program, we can support local farms and provide local families with fresh, nutritious food around the holiday season!
Of course, fresh berries will abound! Local berry farmers will bring a stunning array of the freshest berry selections of the season! Market-wide, our vendors and restaurants will WOW visitors with berry foods and products sourced fresh and local – straight from the nearest farms to our customers. Visitors also have their choice of vendors who can expertly help them to select berry plants for purchase and planting.
Enjoy live entertainment from 10am-2pm. Apple Tree Production takes the Market Stage at 10 am. This children’s theatre group will charm all ages with song and dance that invites audience members to join in the fun! How Short Jazz takes the Market Stage 11-2, with swing inspired standards that set the soul and feet to tapping.
Plus, Slow Foods Berry recipe demos and sampling, play Market Bingo & win prizes with Friends of the Farmers Market, and so much more!!
WHO: Olympia Farmers Market
WHAT: Annual Berry Harvest Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: The Olympia Farmers Market, 700 Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA 98501
