FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) - It was a spring day that many people look forward to, as the outdoor Fayetteville Farmers Market opened for the season.
The cold morning temperatures didn't stop the crowd from filing into the downtown square.
"People lining up, having a great time, meeting old friends," said Larry Bowden, vendor and owner of Briar Rose Bakery. "You can see everyone coming back out to start the spring and enjoy the rest of the summer."
Bowden was one of about 70 vendors who set up show downtown and showed off their fresh produce and vegetables to homemade crafts.
This was the first time he had opened a stand here to sell his bakery goods and mentioned that it certainly wouldn't be his last.
"This really expands the number of people that we meet who say this is the first time they've ever seen us or heard about us, or whatever else," said Bowden. "But now they have the opportunity to actually get the goods that we make."
The farmers market has grown quite a bit, according to Chuck Rutherford, president of the board of directors.
He pointed out the diversity he had seen over the last 15 years.
"We've diversified a lot in the different varieties of crafts along with the different varieties of plants and produce," said Rutherford.
Named the best farmers market in 2012, Rutherford said that he continued to hear praise of the farmers market from people who have visited the area.
"People that come here go 'wow, I wish we had a farmers market like this where we live," said Rutherford. "We have a lot of out-of-state people come because they've heard of this farmers market."
The Fayetteville Farmers Market is open every Saturday (7am to 2pm), Tuesday and Thursday (7am to 1pm).
You can apply to become a vendor here.