With Spring weather finally agreeing to hang around for more than a few minutes at a time … our spirits lift, we watch the clouds scudding across the sky, and small green sprouts are showing themselves … how quickly local produce, plants, and our neighbors’ handcrafts will fill out the Kingston Marina Park!

The 2011 Kingston Farmers Market opens May 7 (the day before Mother’s Day) and runs 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free framed pictures — taken right on the spot —  will be available to take home to Mom.

The Hansville Balloon Brothers will visit, twisting crazy animals from those long skinny balloons. North Kitsap Fire & Rescue will demonstrate kids’ life jackets and bicycle helmets and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce will be selling bedding plants for baskets.

Music for the day will be provided by Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, playing “Gypsy Jazz”, inspired by the 1930s jazz group Quintette du Hot Club de France. Listen to our local violinist and his band playing fast and fluid Jazz Manouche.

Another date to remember is Kids Day, on June 18. Celebrating the end of this school year (June 15 for most) the Market will announce winners of the Kids Art Contest we sponsor through the North Kitsap School District. Their work is also showcased on a fresh set of postcards on sale at the Market. Kids Day will also include free face painting, llamas and lambs at the park; and the beginning of Storytelling at the Market, co-sponsored by the Kitsap Regional Library and the North Kitsap School District.

Clint Dudley, the Kingston Market manager, has already lined up most of the music for the season. It’s a great advantage when the market manager is also a village musician.

Across the country, music groups have “discovered” farmers markets, and have been seeking gigs this year. Good for the market and good for Kingston! Here’s the lineup for the rest of May:

May 14: Locust Street Taxi —  crack-o-lackin’, upbeat music from a local trio.

May 21: Blond MoeJo Johnson — incredible boogie, blues and folk.

May 28: Julie Duke Band — high-energy rraditional blues.

The music usually starts at 10 a.m. and plays until closing. What a way to begin the new season!

For visitor and vendor information, see www.kingstonfarmersmarket.com.

– By Mary McClure