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A jar of honey and a package a cheese curds rested in Mary Kharouf’s grocery sack as she wandered through the first farmers market at Main Street Square on Saturday.I love all of the local vendors said Kharouf standing in the cobblestone alleyway with her son, John, and her mother, Catherin Malone. The three of them decided to take advantage of the sunny Mothers Day weekend and stop by the farmers market and the nearby shops.Dee Holmberg’s booth was one of their first stops.

In addition to local honey and East River cheese Holmberg sells corn-fed beef, German sausages, jams, Hutterite chickens and eggs. She will add produce to her stand once her plants are ready.I have been so busy said Holmberg of her opening weekend traffic. “Even with my two helpers, we can’t keep up talking to everyone.

On Saturday morning, people weaved through the old alleyway between the parking ramp and the square checking out what the 15 vendors had to offer on opening weekend of the farmers market. Megan Karbowski, the executive director of the square, said the urban-style market will feature locally produced food and homemade crafts and art in addition to live musical performances all summer.Karbowski said she heard lots of positive feedback from visitors, and she expects the market to blossom, especially as the growing season’s progresses.

The square also hopes its “veggie valet,” which holds onto customer purchases until the close of the market, will encourage people to spend more time downtown.On Saturday, about half of the vendors were selling food such as jams, bison meat, popcorn, bread, eggs, rhubarb, garlic and noodles. The other half of vendors were selling non-food items such as jewelry, wreaths, pottery, soap and framed photographs.Summer games in the garden