Outdoor farmers markets kicking off

The first outdoor farmers market of the season will open Saturday in Fairfield.

Iowa City-based musician Skye Carrasco will be performing live with local talent Taylor Ross and Amoeba Improvisational Dance Troupe. Additionally, master gardeners Kim Keller and Cary Spray will be hosting the annual plant exchange, where patrons are welcome to bring vegetable and flower plants to swap.

On May 14, the market features local rock reggae favorite Jefferson County Green Band and another chance to participate in the plant exchange.

The following week, May 21, there will be a live cooking demonstration put on by the Indian Hills Community College Culinary School and hosted by Gordon Rader. The students will be focusing on May?s main harvest: greens. Accompanying the students will be world-renowned Irish piper Tim Britton.

Rounding out the month will be Minneapolis-based musical talent We Are the Willows. Additionally, local artists will be offering face painting for $2.

The market is always open Wednesday afternoons, as well. May harvests include: radish, lettuce, turnips, peas and spinach. Additionally, the market offers a variety of plants, jellies and jams, baked goods and other local goods.

All outdoor markets are located at Howard Park, just one block north of the Jefferson County Courthouse. Saturday markets begin at 8 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.; Wednesday markets run from 3:30-7 p.m.