Spring has arrived, and with it comes one of the highlights of the season for many Topekans – the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market.

The farmers market kicked off the season April 10, and takes place every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – noon in the parking lot behind the judicial building at Harrison and 12th Streets. Almost 100 vendors from the Topeka area set up booths every weekend to sell fresh produce, baked goods, plants and homemade crafts, creating a shopping experience wholly unique from walking the aisles of a grocery store or retail center.

“There is a larger variety and fresher produce,” said Betty Lane, the market’s general manager and a vendor for the past ten years. “The vegetables are harvested Friday and sold on Saturday, while at the store they were probably harvested more than a week ago. You get to deal with the man who grew the produce, and it is better and fresher.”

Early spring is a wonderful time to shop the farmers market, Lane said, because an array of early harvest vegetables are already available, including salad greens, radishes, green onions, asparagus and some early broccoli. In addition to produce, a wide selection of bedding and other garden plants are on sale for anyone ready to start planting a garden.

The atmosphere at the market is festive and carefree. It’s not unusual to see several generations of a family, complete with a baby in a stroller and Buster on a leash, strolling from booth to booth. Food vendors are also on hand for anyone who works up an appetite shopping, with offerings such as Mexican food, barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers and brats.

In addition to the food court, the market will also be featuring live musical entertainment. The market’s organizers, along with Heartland Visioning and Topeka Parks and Recreation, are putting together a slate of local performers for the Music at the Market series, which kicks off May 1. Musicians will span the musical spectrum from bluegrass to barbershop, and will perform between the hours of 9 – 11 a.m., depending on scheduling.

The downtown farmers market has been operating since the 1930s, demonstrating a staying power that has transcended customers’ changing eating habits and evolving consumer trends. When asked what has kept the tradition alive for more than 70 years, Lane answered without hesitation.

“Satisfied customers. That’s all there is to it,” she said. “If you haven’t been out, come and plan on having a good time.”