By MARY MCCLURE and CLINT DUDLEY

The Kingston Farmers Market’s 2013 season begins May 4 and continues every Saturday to mid-October. As with every year, we are looking forward to sunny days at the Port of Kingston and, if it rains, we hope our friendly atmosphere makes up for it.

What can we expect new this season?

This year is the Kingston Farmers Market’s 24th season! Awesome to reflect back on so many dear friends who have come and gone … vendors, customers, and all those wonderful dogs who drag their owners out for a Saturday stroll through the Mike Wallace Park next to the marina. This year, we hope for more of the same, with a few new twists:

— EBT/SNAP at the Market Information Booth.
— Promotions for 10 percent off any participating vendor, any Saturday.
— More raffle baskets more often.
— A new vendor has inquired if we’d welcome a crab fisherman at the market, selling freshly-caught pinchers. Yes!

Many of our favorite vendors will be returning: Terrapin Farms from Hood Canal, Nash’s Organic Produce from Sequim, and Dharma Ridge from Jefferson County, plus numerous smaller-scale farms in the produce arena. Lavender, seed starts, and fresh-cut flowers. A steady supply of organic eggs, and raw milk from reliable suppliers. WSU Master Gardeners answering the most far-fetched garden questions, week after week. And, of course, our artisan vendors and munchy-at-the-market food and coffee drinks.

Calling new vendors!

This is the time of year that we get the most calls from new vendors — people with ideas and energy who are imagining what it would be like to sell at a farmers market. Our market supports new vendors — the first few market days are free while you test your product and equipment set-up. We’ll even loan you a canopy those first few days.

There are so many reasons to choose Kingston — some of the lowest vendor fees in the county, a steady customer stream in a beautiful setting with professional music every week. A track record of vendors who “outgrow” the farmers market venue and move on to more traditional business forms. A successful vendor village overall.

For more information, contact market manager Clint Dudley at (360) 297-7683 or through the Vendor Services section on the market website at www.KingstonFarmersMarket.com. In the meantime, wish for Spring Saturdays and remember the Kingston Farmers Market. Come on down!

— Contact Mary McClure at mary@contrarymac.com, Clint Dudley at KingstonFarm@earthlink.net