Sat 4/4 @ 8AM-noon

Sat 4/4 @ 9AM-1PM

The North Union Markets, which now number seven — two year-round markets and five seasonal summer markets — were founded in 1995 by Donita Anderson, who retired last year as their director, and launched the farmers market epidemic in Northeast Ohio.

Both the original North Union Market, the Shaker Square Market (which moves to the Van Aken District Market Hall), and the Crocker Park Market. operate year-round. But they truly flower on the first Saturday in April when, regardless of the weather — which can be sunny and in the cities or snowing and in the 20s — they move back to their outdoor locations.

All the vendors are local to Northeast Ohio and “producers” only — farmers and makers of food products who raise/manufacture everything themselves. You’ll find baked goods, meat, honey, jams and jellies, mushrooms, flowers and seasonal produce — don’t expect tomatoes in April. You’ll also find craftspeople with items ranging from ceramics to soaps to candles, musicians playing for the shoppers, and cooking demonstrations.

And on opening day at Shaker Square the shearing of the sheep returns, when sheep are shorn of their heavy winter coats. That takes place at the Crocker Park Market on its second day outdoors, April 11. The markets are then outdoors until the Saturday before Christmas. Hours at Shaker Square are 8am-noon; at Crocker Park 9am-1pm.

northunionfarmersmarket.org/shaker-square-2

northunionfarmersmarket.org/crocker-park