This weekend marked the arrival of fresh produce, pastries and other local treats as the Boulder County Farmers Markets opened for the season.

Saturday was opening day for the Boulder and Longmont markets, which give Colorado producers the opportunity to share their goods with locals. The markets open at 8 a.m. Saturdays and will continue into November.

In Longmont, opening day brought dozens of vendors to the Boulder County Fairgrounds at 9595 Nelson Road, according to an organizer. A blend of new and returning vendors sold a wide variety of unique items, from honey to pickles to sheep pelts.

Longmont’s Yellow Fellow Farms sold house plants, seasonings and vegetables Saturday.

“We want to make sure that when people come to the market, they can get their entire shopping needs met,” said Luke Downey, Yellow Fellow Farms owner. “We’re trying to meet whatever the gap in the market is.”

Downey was a guest vendor in 2023, but this year is his first time as a vendor for the full season. He said some guests this weekend remembered Yellow Fellow Farms from its presence at the market a couple years ago.Saturday morning brought some light snow and chilly temperatures to the markets. Downey said the customers who came despite the weather seemed committed to developing a relationship with Yellow Fellow Farms.

“They’re asking questions, they’re sticking around for conversation,” Downey said. “It’s nice to just be visible, letting people know we’ll be here every week. They seem to really appreciate that.”

Local bakery Moxie Bread Co. made its debut at the Longmont market this year, selling pastries and freshly baked bread.

Moxie Bread Co. recently moved into a new commissary kitchen in Longmont. Mariah McCreary, assistant manager for Moxie Mercantile in Lyons, said that change motivated the bakery to sell at the Longmont market this year.

“Since it’s not a storefront, this is kind of our way to get to know the community within the place that we’re baking now,” McCreary said. “People have been excited about having good bread at this location, specifically.”

Dave Thomas, co-owner of Rough and Ready Farm near Lyons, has been selling at the market since 2021. Rough and Ready Farm offered arugula, spinach, radishes and other produce to Longmont customers Saturday.

“People come out every week,” Thomas said. “It’s just a really great market to be a part of.”

In Boulder, dozens of vendors also attended the market’s opening day on 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, according to an organizer.

Boulder County’s Black Cat Organic Farm, which has been a vendor at the Boulder market for over 15 years, sold kale, herbs, sourdough, meat and more.

Black Cat sold out of most of their items by 1 p.m. Noni Murdock, who worked the Black Cat booth on Saturday, said she noticed a “good amount of people” showed up amid the cold weather.

“Supporting local farms is probably important to people here, and that brings them back,” Murdock said.

Other items available at the Boulder market included kombucha, pasta, beef, pretzels, tamales, coffee and kettle corn.

New vendor De Los Andes Empanadas brought Argentinian empanadas to the Boulder market this year. Their empanadas were also almost sold out by 1 p.m.

“We don’t have a physical location, so this is great for us to get seen,” said Nito Orecchio, who sold empanadas on Saturday. “For us, a farmers’ market is a great way to get ourselves out there.”