The unofficial start of summer is arriving this weekend and with it comes the months of fresh vegetables and the opening of the Elkins Farmers Market on Saturday.

For the third year, rain or shine, market vendors will sell homemade breads, crafts, jams, fruits and vegetables in the Elkins town square from 8:30 a.m. until noon every Saturday through the end of October.

Organizer Nancy Barlow explained that the farmers market is not only a place to buy locally raised or crafted items, but it's also a social event. Over the last few years, the popularity of the market in the town square has increased and families make the trip together and even bring their pets, Barlow said.

Although it's early in the gardening season, Barlow said there should be some early greens, such as onions and lettuce, along with market standards such as fresh eggs, homemade bread, jewelry and wood crafts available during the opening weekend. To ensure the best "pickings," Barlow recommends arriving when the market opens.

The Elkins Farmers Market is open to vendors living within a 30 air-mile radius of town and some participating sellers are from Barbour, Tucker and Upshur counties.

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor may call Barlow at the Randolph County Development Authority, 304-637-0803. The charge to vendors is $2 per season, plus 3 percent of total season sales, which is paid at the close of the market year.

The Elkins Farmers Market will also be open at Elkins City Park on Wednesdays beginning in July. An exact opening date has not been set, but hours will be from 7 a.m. until merchandise is sold.