The Redmond Saturday Market opened last Saturday, complete with a pep band, tantalizing food and pastries, baby alpacas and goods from local artisans.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione gave a speech and his wife cut the ribbon Saturday morning, marking the start of an event that will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 29 on Leary Way Northeast near the Redmond Town Center.

“There’s more energy behind it this year,” said Marchione. “Since the community convinced the city to sponsor the market three years ago, the attendance record has gone up. It’s a fun time, a sign of spring.”

Martha Tyler, the event organizer, said there are 12 new vendors this year, bringing the total to 125 vendors, with 85 to 90 present on any given Saturday.

“We are the Cadillac of farmers’ markets on the Eastside,” said Tyler. “We have everything imaginable: produce, flowers, crafts, processed foods, live entertainment.”

Richard Watson, vice president of the Market and owner of Wood Lathe Creations, said the rule at the Redmond Market is that goods sold by a given vendor must be made by the vendor, and also be made in Washington state.

Opening day was busy and a feast for the senses. Vendors were enthusiastic, and the community poured in, kids and all, to experience the colorful array of plants, herbs, flowers, breads, honey, fish, crepes, tamales, popcorn, music and art.

Darlene Ulsh, owner of Darlene’s Baked Goods, received the award for Vendor of the Year. Her booth was heavily laden with cookies, bars, scones and other baked treats as people lined up to satisfy their cravings.

“My daughter was in diapers when I first started here and now she’s in high school,” said Ulsh.

A native of Gig Harbor, Ulsh she said she grew up making a mess in the kitchen with her Swedish grandma, who taught her everything she knows about baking. She cooked and baked on fishing boats for 14 years, and eventually “hung up her seaboots” to start a family. When she first visited the farmers’ market in Redmond, she noticed there weren’t any baked goods. So she started her own business and has been with the Redmond Saturday Market ever since.

Ulsh is selling her wares at four farmers’ markets this year, including Snohomish and Everett.

For more information about the Redmond Saturday Market, visit redmondsaturdaymarket.org.

Loren Boyd is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.