CLEARLAKE – After a successful inaugural summer season, the Friday Night Farmers' Market closed this past week.

Musical guests Blue Moon provided folk music as the colors of harvest painted the sky and the farmers' bounty. Pumpkins, tomatoes, squash and other fall vegetables were on offer for the final event.

The Certified Farmers' Market, co-sponsored by the Lake County Community Co-op, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the City of Clearlake, drew hundreds of people throughout the season.

Farmers – both local and regional – artisan and craft vendors from around the lake, food vendors, service organizations, and local musicians from a broad spectrum of musical genres, including the Lower Lake High School Jazz band and Show Choir, joined together each week since June to help create a community event and bring "direct from the farmer" fresh produce and other farm products at the breezy, lakeside setting in downtown Clearlake.

Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) and the Explorer program (a youth in policing program) helped with traffic and crowd control, and many weeks Allen Markowski filmed various vendors, attendees and musicians, which later aired on the county's local PEG Channel, TV 8.

"This was a genuine community organized event," co-organizer JoAnn Saccato said. "I'm delighted at how much we accomplished for our first year together and really look forward to next season. I believe it's an indication of the new 'community consciousness' of Clearlake."

Organizers intend to begin the event again next year in late May or early June.

For more information, contact the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 994-3600.

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