COMMUNITY, SALEM EVENTS

Despite blustery weather, Salem Saturday Market is busy with vendors, shoppers

Early springtime in Oregon can mean anything from torrential rain, hail, or snow, and all were evident at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. Although not busy as it will be later in the summer, the market was still crowded, and there was plenty of fresh vegetables and other items to choose from.

The 2023 season marks the 25th anniversary of the Salem Saturday Market, which operates on the state parking lot at the corner of Summer and Marion Streets.

When the market is at full strength, 150 vendors are present. The market is scheduled to run through September. Other midweek markets are scheduled to start in early May.

Trade on Saturday was brisk for warmly wrapped shoppers who eagerly picked up everything from fresh eggs to jewelry, blown glass, and what seemed to be most popular, the fresh hummus booth.

Near the market, the cherry trees on the Capitol Mall were still budded up tight and not in bloom, but lanterns were being strung for the Yozakura festival by staff of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The lanterns will be illuminated nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Saturday, April 1.

Friends pause for a selfie at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Dirk Leichty picks a loaf of seeded bread at the Manna bakery booth for a customer at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Pickles are his passion, and it showed with the varied selection available. Matthew Closson holds a jar of pickled cauliflower from his booth at Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Careful choices were made at the fresh hummus booth at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Ryan Cirocco hold one of the handmade items from Sparrow Furniture booth at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March. 25 All items are made by refugees from other countries resettling in Salem. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
These fresh harvested carrots did not last long at the booth at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A vendor shows off his blown glass wares at the Salem Saturday Market on Saturday, March 25. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A popular vendor is the flower bouquet stand at the Salem Saturday Market. Each bouquet is crafted by hand. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Dogs are welcome at the Salem Saturday Market. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Children enjoy fresh beef jerky on Saturday, March 25, at the Salem Saturday Market. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The cherry trees at the Capitol Mall are decked out with lanterns for the Yozakura festival on Saturday, March 25. The lanterns are lit each evening through Saturday, April 1. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)

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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.