It’s finally farmers market time again. The Madrona Farmers Market opens Friday for its first day of the season. As usual, it will be located in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet at MLK and Union.

Highlights of opening day include a cooking demonstration by St. Clouds chef Michael King and, of course, fresh veggies!

From the Seattle Farmers Market Association:

Madrona Farmers Market Returns This Friday, May 18th, at 3 p.m.!  We’re excite to get the 2012 season going in the Madrona Grocery Outlet parking lot, at the corner of MLK Way & E. Union Street – the confluence of the Central District, Madrona, Capitol Hill and Madison Valley neighborhoods, for its 10th season.  Chef Michael King of St. Clouds, kicks off the season with another of his brilliant cooking demonstrations on opening day, May 18th, at 4 p.m., followed by Chef Carolin Messier of The Harvest Vine in Madison Valley on Friday, May 25th, with a great lineup of chefs from the surrounding neighborhoods throughout the season.  The season will start off with a bang with fresh oyster mushrooms from Red Owl Mushroom Farm, sprouts and microgreens from new vendor Sprouters Northwest, the best chicken you’ve ever tasted from Growing Things Farm, local pickles from new vendor Purdy Pickle, certified organic asparagus from Alvarez Organic Farms and fresh from the market foods from Patty Pan Grill, just to name a few. Of course, one can find much more information on the Madrona Farmers Market blog, including a complete list of in-season crops, a calendar of cooking demonstrations, recipes and great background information on our vendors and their products, and more.