Bremerton Farmers Market opens for season in new location.

The corner of Pacific Avenue and Sheldon Boulevard will be hopping now through October.

The Bremerton Farmers Market (BFM) kicked off its fifth season May 14 in its new location, the south parking lot of Evergreen Park on the corner of Pacific and Sheldon.

“This is a great space,” BFM market manager Kim Schleis said.

BFM Board of Directors President John Bridger said the board approached the city of Bremerton about moving to a new location in Evergreen Park and the city was very receptive to the idea.

“The mayor actually paid for the permit for this,” Bridger said. “So the mayor really took an interest.”

The BFM board spent much of the past year working with the city of Bremerton to establish a lease and the new location for the farmers market and the agreement was finalized in February.

The market previously was located in the Seaside Church parking lot next to Evergreen Park and Bridger said they quickly outgrew that space.

Schleis said the former location could only support 22 vendors, but the new Evergreen Park location can hold up to 40 different vendors.

“This is another growing step for us,” she said.

Lots of people, including Bremerton City Council members, turned out May 14 to officially open the farmers market’s new location. The Fort Lewis Army Band even traveled to Bremerton for the celebration and played music throughout the market’s opening day.

“This is great. This is fantastic,” Bridger said of opening day.

Schleis said BFM plans to have up to 40 vendors sell their goods at the weekly market. Fresh fruits and vegetables, crumpets, homemade soda, smoked salmon and lots of crafts will be for sale throughout the season, which ends in October.

“We’re going to have a great lineup,” Schleis said.

The farmers market accepts Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and Senior coupons starting June 1. Master Gardeners also will be on hand each week to answer gardening questions.

BFM offers weekly e-newsletters for customers and sells custom BFM market bags.

Schleis said everyone seems excited about the market’s new location and customers enjoyed themselves at last week’s opening day celebration.

“So far it’s been very positive from everybody,” she said. “I think it’s going to be very well-received.”

The farmers market is open 4-7 p.m. every Thursday now through Oct. 15. For more information about BFM, visit its Web site at www.bremertonmarket.com.