The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley Macie Higgins, right, talks to several customers visiting her stand Saturday morning at the Elkins Farmers Market set up behind the Elkins Railroad Depot in Elkins Town Square. Pottery, tomatoes and basil were some of the items available to purchase at Higgins’ stand.

ELKINS — A long-standing local tradition for the spring and summer months recently returned from its winter hibernation when the Elkins Farmers Market opened for the season.

The Farmers Market, which has been part of Saturday mornings in Elkins for the past 21 years, officially opened behind the Elkins Train Depot in Town Square on May 6.

“We are set to go for another season,” Elkins Farmers Market President Nicole Spencer said at the market this past Saturday. “We have a little bit of something for everything each week, including fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. The further along we get in the season, the more items we will have when it comes to produce. But we’ve already had vendors selling lettuce and other items. We’ve also had vendors with things like fresh ground cornmeal, plants, eggs and baked goods.”

There’s much more than fruits and vegetables available for the public to choose from at the market. Those browsing around the booths can find items such as handmade art and crafts, buckwheat flour, canned goods, pottery, spices, woven items and much more.

Vendors looking to set up at the market this year will see some changes as full vendor memberships for the entire 2023 season are now available for a flat fee. The market also now allows drop-ins for those vendors who are wishing to just try the market out, or for those who have minimal surplus and not enough to participate the entire season. Drop-in vendors are limited to two drop-in days and will be charged a flat fee for each day.

Also new this year is the Community Tent, which is free to individuals and community organizations who are looking to recruit members, educate the public, or showcase what they have to offer. The Community Tent must be booked in advance.

The Farmers Market officially moved behind the Railyard Depot 10 years ago and will be open each Saturday until midway through the month of October. Spencer said moving to the current location has been beneficial not only to the vendors sitting up there, but to visitors as well because of the ample and convenient parking.

“There are always a lot of people riding the train, like there are today,” she said. “A lot of those visitors are from out of town and they’re always stopping by and seeing everything we have to offer.”

The New Tygart Flyer, which is the train that runs out of the Elkins Depot, draws a large number of visitors during the months the market is open. It departs at 11 a.m. while the market is open.

Some of the produce sold at the market is grown by Spencer herself, as she owns a 20-acre farm on Georgetown Road where she grows apples, blueberries, chestnuts, walnuts, corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, mushrooms and zucchini. She also sells canned goods, breads, pies and fudge.

For more information about the Farmers Market, visit its Facebook site or call 681-298-8510.