Bloomin' Beautiful!

The weather, the farmers, the crafters, the food, the 20th season celebrations -- everything today at the Bellingham Farmers Market exceeded expectations!

Blue skies and sunshine brought out hordes of people, and they had plenty to choose from on the farmers' stalls, including Roslyn McNicholl's organic Rabbit Field Farms produce.

The festive parade of vintage tractors, live music, short speeches, and the traditional cabbage toss -- using an organic cabbage specially grown for the occasion by Terra Verde Garden -- by Bellingham mayor Kelli Linville opened the 20th season of the Bellingham Farmers Market.

A "celebration cake" by Mount Bakery (actually three cakes, only one of which is pictured here) disappeared quickly, and the serious shopping began! You can see a few of the items available starting here.

After almost five hours at the market, Phil and I then went to the Temple Bar for freshly shucked oysters and wine, followed by a delicious lunch (the hot stuffed dates and the baked polenta, described on the menu, were amazing!). We wrapped up our errands with our first visit to the new Kulshan Brewing Company, where we purchased a "growler" (holds four American pints, 64 oz) of their superb pale ale for later consumption, which we enjoyed at supper tonight.

A wonderful day of community delights!

(Here's Phil's journal entry for today -- antique tractors, among other photo subjects!)