Salem Oregon Farmers Markets Are In Full Swing (VIDEO)

Mark your calendars for Wednesdays and Saturdays, eat healthy local food and enjoy Oregon's capitol city.

Tina Miller is with the Salem area Farmer's Market. Photo and video by Tim King.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem, Oregon's Farmers Markets are in full swing, providing business opportunities for local agriculturists and great shopping for local residents and visitors.

The event's Day Market Coordinator Tina Miller says there are many reasons the events are doing so well.

"The dogs here are having a great time, you see a million of them every week. A lot of the other markets in Portland have banned dogs from their markets, and we're not about to do that at this point."

Another big draw she says, is the way the markets consider the economic reality of many local residents.

"We accept the Oregon Trail card for all the qualifying products, so people that have Oregon Trail can come out and buy fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers, contributing to the economy."

Families are increasingly enjoying the Salem Farmer's Markets.

Miller points to the many activities waiting for those who visit.

"It's a great place to bring your kids, and it's free. We provide free entertainment, we give them free balloons at the information booth, and we make it good time for the whole family and in a very safe environment. So you can come down here with very little money in your pocket and have a great time with your family."

Entertainment is the word when it comes to colorful balloons and little kids... of all ages.

"He makes these incredible animals out of balloons, I don't know how he does it, but he can make about anything. So, there's always something to do down here at the market."

And, Miller says magical tricks are also a big attraction, "We just hooked up with some magicians the last few weeks, and they're out here having a great time, the kids all crowd around."

In fact the magician featured in the video is our own cartoonist, Glen Bledsoe, showing one of his many talents not limited to teaching, writing and artistry.

The market runs from April through October. the Saturday market runs from 9 to 3 every Saturday, and our Wednesday market runs from 10 to 2, and that's located between Liberty and High Streets.

Mark your calendars for Wednesdays and Saturdays, eat healthy local food and enjoy Oregon's capitol city.

Watch the video report below:

Video

Produced by Photojournalist Tim King

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Bonnie King is a media professionals with extensive time in four relevant areas; radio, television, newspaper and Internet. Bonnie served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas" (2 seasons), Promotion Director for KYMA TV (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and she served as Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER). Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness of her nature is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers.