Valley farmers markets ramp up, Friday Flings turn 10

MAT-SU — If you’re a fan of local produce, we probably don’t have to tell you that at least some of the Valley farmers markets have already begun their summertime schedule.

What you might not know, though, is that Friday Flings — one part street fair, one part farmer’s market — is 10 years old as of this summer.

“We are having a big celebration on June 29,” market manager Susan Fouch said. “We are doing all-day music, we are going to be giving away prizes.”

Markets that have already begun operations include the Friday Flings and the Houston Farmers/Flea Market in the Meadowoods Mall. Yet to come are the Wasilla Famers Market, which opens June 6 and the Willow Farmers Market, set to open June 29.

Of course, there are others in Eagle River, Anchorage and Fairbanks. If you’re heading that way and can’t go too long without a locally grown carrot, the state puts out a brochure each year. It’s available at http://tinyurl.com/6rjycba.

Seniors and others who use public assistance can shop at most of those markets as well, either with WIC coupons or Quest cards. For information on that, head to the state’s Health and Social Services website.

Fouch said the weekly flings offer an hour of music each week.

Vendors include things like walking sticks and toilet paper holders hand-carved out of birch, lotions and soaps made by a family on Lazy Mountain, the famous Husky Burger, live plants, ice cream, ivory, tie-dye … the list goes on.

Of course, there’s also the produce, honey, and jams and jellies. She said the flings wrap up in August, but plan to stay open as strictly a farmer’s market for four weeks after that.

“We’ll probably have six to nine farmers who are under the pavilion,” she said.

Also in this, its 10th year, she said the fling is teaming up in June with a local motorcycle group.

“The Harley Owners Group is having a HOG Rally, and we are doing a Poker Run with them on the 22nd and we are one of their stops,” she said.

She said 250 riders are expected to make that trip, and having them in Palmer will be huge for the fling and a good time as well.

But then, Fouch said, the flings are fun every weekend. Well, most every weekend.

“As long as the wind is not too treacherous,” she said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

• Houston Farmers/Flea Market: Meadowoods Mall through Sept. 3, Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Friday Flings: Downtown Palmer through September, Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Wasilla Farmers Market: Behind the Wasilla municipal library June 6 through September, Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Willow Farmers Market: Across from Newman’s Tesoro, June 29 through Sept. 21, Fridays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.