Farmers Market hot with shoppers

The early summer heat didn't keep people away from the first Carson City Farmers Market of the season. People were leaving with bags of produce as early as 4:30 p.m., while others streamed in to replace them.

Staged at Mills Parks' Pony Express Pavilion, the event will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. through September 13.

A lot of familiar faces were back, but there were some new faces too.

A young violinist greeted everyone at the entrance with his tunes, and left early with a violin-case full of bills.

The aroma of fresh strawberries hung in the air, compliments of the Rodriguez Farms booth. Rosario Rodriguez comes from Watsonville, where he has about 26 acres of strawberries in cultivation. He also grows rasberries and promised he'd have golden raspberries later in the year.

"The Fallon growers got hit by that late frost, so they're going to be delayed a few weeks," event organizer Shirley Adshade-Sponsler said.

She noted the pavilion is a benefit when it comes to heat, thunderstorms, parking, and lighting.

"I love it here. The city is happy to have us use this facility, and it's been compared to European markets. I think it has a real European atmosphere," she said.

All produce is certified, which means the farms have been inspected to assure the produce was grown by the people selling it.

Vendors drive from as far away as Fresno, Yuba City and Red Bluff. To the east, Kimtek growers hail from Orovada north of Winnemucca. They can usually haul enough produce to last through two to three consecutive markets in the area, but when they sell out they will often have more trucked from their farms.

Carson City Redevelopment Authority supplies about two-thirds of the total budget, or $4,000 for the event, but Adshade-Sponslor is trying to create an event that is self supporting.

"We used to have a larger advertising budget, but an event like this benefits the most by word of mouth," she said.

It's the produce, according to patron Jude Greytuk, that brings them back.

"We come for the peaches, and the free samples," Greytuk said. "And we come every week for the fresh, ripe produce."

Newcomer Betsy Small agreed.

"It's my first time here," said Small, who recently moved from Seattle. "It's very quaint, and very nice. There aren't as many people (as the Seattle markets), and it's a great place to bring the kids."

The market draws 3,000 to 5,000 people per week, according to Adshade-Sponslor.