Salem Saturday Market to return for 28th season
This Saturday, March 7, the Salem Saturday Market will return for the season, bringing back local favorites in produce, art and hot food, along with new faces.
In the market’s 28th year, around 70 vendors have signed up for opening day, said Jenna Davis, co-director.
“This is probably our fullest March we’ve ever had,” Davis said.
Starting Saturday, the market will convene at 865 Marion St. N.E. each Saturday through October, bringing local food and wares to an outdoor market. It will be open weekly from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Organizers are expecting a busy season, with many vendor spaces for the season already booked out far in advance.
They’ll be bringing kettle corn, baked goods, crafts, beeswax products, gemstones and fossils, candles and more, according to Salem Community Markets’ website.
Newcomers include fresh meat vendors selling rabbit and lamb, a new woodworking booth selling original artwork and a new Thai food vendor.
“Some of our old favorites are bringing in some new items, too,” Davis said.
That includes the pupusa and paella vendors who are returning to the hot food section, and Davis said the occasional pizza vendor will be back more permanently. There is seating available near the food court, where live music performances will start in May.
Many vendors at the Saturday Market will be accepting EBT food benefits. Through the Double Up Food Bucks program, produce purchases will be matched for up to $20 a day, giving Oregon Trail Card holders more to spend on local fruits and vegetables.
Davis, who has been a part of the Salem Saturday Market for four years, said she’s looking forward to seeing the people, and their dogs, socializing at the market.
The weather will be partly sunny on Saturday, with a high near 60 degrees according to the National Weather Service.
“I think people wait all winter to kind of come out of the winter hibernation and finally get to see the vendors that they come every week for,” Davis said. “You get to see exciting, beautiful produce that has been hidden away all winter. I think it’s just going to be a lot of family fun.”
Weekday markets at Salem Hospital, Chemeketa Community College and in West Salem will return in May. Learn more on the Salem Community Markets website.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
