The greens festival kicked off the first of five themed Rossland Mountain Markets (RMM) last Thursday.
The RMM takes place every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. until October 2.
The themed festivals will be happening on the third Thursday of every month.
July will be the berry festival, August will be corn, September will be tomato and the final festival will be the harvest festival on October 2.
The market seems to get busier with every week.
“The more people come down to the market the stronger the community is becoming,” said Miche Hayden, manager of the RMM who sees the market as a social event as well as a place to hang out and get to know the people who grow the food that we’re eating.
Hayden is entering her second year as manager after being a vender at farmers markets prior to this position.
“I have a lot of fun doing it and a lot of passion and a lot of ideas to get the community involved,” said Hayden.
New this year is a group of local artists who will be creating banners for the themed festivals.
“It’s very important to me personally that our community has the best source possible for local food and locally hand-made goods,” Hayden added.
These artists will have an art show at one of the festivals later in the year.
Events such as the RMM are putting money right back into Rossland’s local economy.
“Through the farmers market the community has access to healthier foods...[and] can feel good about themselves because they are contributing to a sustainable economy,” said Hayden.
Venders who set up booths at this event are all within the Kootenays with the farthest venders being from Grand Forks and Creston.
All venders fall under the same “make it, bake it or grow it” policy.
People who are interested in becoming a vender can email, rosslandmountainmarket@gmail.com or, to find out more about RMM check out the new website at, www.rosslandmountainmarket.com.