This Saturday local vendors will return to Capitol Square to kick off the summer season of the Dane County Farmers' Market.
Vegetables, fruits, cheese, baked goods and even flowers are among the many products available. More than 150 Madison-area vendors are present every Saturday morning starting around 6 a.m.
Larry Johnson, market manager, said he is excited for the opening of the farmers' market.
""It's always fun and everyone looks forward to it,"" Johnson said.
The Dane County Farmers' Market is the largest producer-only market in the country, Johnson said. According to Johnson, vendors are solely responsible for every product sold at the market.
""It is a great chance to have a personal relationship with the person who grows your food,"" Johnson said. ""It's a great thing.""
The Farmers' Market is also a popular venue among UW-Madison students, who brave the early Saturday mornings. UW-Madison sophomore Kaitlyn Buck said she regularly attends the market on the weekends, despite the early rise.
""It's a great environment and there is a lot of stuff you can buy to support local businesses, and the food is usually good,"" Buck said.
The market is not the only event on the square. Spring and summer months also bring out such events as arts-and-craft artisans, public-information booths and street musicians.
—Mary Malahy
