Salem Saturday Market Showered with Fun

Spring is in the air, and it was in full bloom in downtown Salem this weekend.

Michael Christof entertained market-goers with impressive violin playing. Photos by Bonnie King, Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - The opening day of Salem Saturday Market 2014 was a great success with 85 vendors welcoming old friends and new to the area’s biggest outdoor market. The skies were heavy laden with clouds, and rain was in the forecast, but the sun broke through and very few drops fell. Salemites were ready for the market, and turned out by the hundred, rain or shine, umbrellas in tow.

“There are a lot of new vendors this year, and almost twice as many on opening day as we had last year,” said Kerry Jackson, the assistant Marketing Director for Salem Saturday Market. “Everyone is very enthusiastic and looking forward to a terrific season.”

Vendors were busy despite the rain

Dogs love the Market!

Beautiful fresh arrangements

EXPLORE

The “Community Area” has been expanded this year, which is where non-profit groups and others are located. “Salem Health will be here every Saturday and cover different topics each week, and I believe they may also do some screenings,” Jackson added.

DISCOVER

Rocks of Ages, owned by renowned rockhound Robert Maple, is one of the most popular booths at the market, a standard for seven years. People were drawn to the rocks, and I heard many repeated “ooh”s and “ah”s as they perused the vast expanse of products.

“I find over 50% of the rocks myself, and I tumble all of the rocks you see here,” Maple said. Learning something new is another benefit to coming to the Salem Saturday Market. For instance, I thought obsidian was black, and only black.

One of my favorite stones, I was taught by a better rock enthusiast than me, Sierra Porter, that minerals forming in obsidian also create green obsidian, or red, or even “rainbow”. So much to discover!

EXPERIENCE

Live music begins in May and goes through September, with the professional entertainment area also located near the food court.

Students are already performing at the market, near the information booth. 11-year old Michael Christof, from Judson Middle School, was busking on the first day out. He said that playing his violin at the Saturday Market was a good way to spend his time, and the talented kid made a couple of bucks while he was at it.

Deana Clugston said business was really good at their bakery booth on the first day back, which was affirmed every time I saw another person walk by with one of their pies or a pan of cinnamon rolls.

The cupcake booth sold out completely. The owner said they went through 185 cupcakes, “We thought that would be enough because heavy rain was forecast, but instead it barely rained at all. We could have made another 50 or so, and sold out,” he laughed.

A stress-free, educational, entertaining experience. That’s what the Salem Saturday Market can be. Don’t miss it next week. It’s a sure way to have a nice day!

All colors of the rainbow represented	Business was good & patrons pleased!
The best rocks to be found	Great spirits too!