Duvall Farmers Market breaks opening day record again

The Duvall Farmers Market saw more than 2,000 visitors for the opening day of its 2025 season — already double last year’s numbers.

The market on May 1 also had 31 booths, 11 new vendors and, the big get, a Dick’s Drive-In food truck, which served for three hours with a consistent stream of customers. Live music from the Cedarcrest High School pep band and local band The Woots backdropped the evening, and a couple of vendors sold out.

“Looking around a buzzing market on opening day — seeing happy shoppers, busy vendors and hearing stories of the market’s impact in our community — makes all the pre-season planning worth it,” said market manager Anaya Stout. “I love this community and am so proud to be part of a farmers market that brings our town together in a way that fosters connection and joy.”

Official sales numbers are not in yet, but market president Alex Yearout “can confidently say they were more than double last year’s opening day.”

Yearout’s overhaul of marketing and social media practices is a big reason the market has become what it is. She became president of the market in early 2024, and proceeded to have the market’s most successful season since it was founded in 2006. Last year’s opening day had about 1,000 people, and markets afterward averaged 600 attendees.

But Yearout and her team didn’t stop there. They spent the past six months preparing for a bigger and better season — and so far it’s paying off.

Last year’s whimsical logo, with colorful produce and an image of the Snoqualmie River, continues to draw in customers, but this year the market also had a slogan, “Where community meets valley vibes.”

In preparation for the market, the team spent the last couple of months handing out postcards that matched this year’s market poster with the phrase “Meet me at the market,” the idea being to send the postcard to someone you wanted to stroll the market with.

The market has also introduced Kids Bucks, an initiative “encouraging young eaters to get excited about healthy, local food,” Yearout says. On opening day, 72 children received $2 tokens to spend on fresh produce or honey.

The Duvall Farmers Market is a nonprofit, so it doesn’t look to make money, but organizers hope vendors do, Yearout said.

Ultimately, the market wants to be a community hub. It’s a place where local makers can grow a customer base; where local musicians can grow an audience; and where local nonprofits, who get a free booth, can grow their list of supporters. Visitors are encouraged to listen to the music, eat some good food and stay awhile, rather than popping in and out.

Yearout, who recently had her second child, brings both her baby and toddler to the market each week, as do several vendors. She said the family atmosphere is a “beautiful reminder of what community looks like.”

“Seeing our hard work pay off on opening day means those families and our vendors can keep doing what they love in a space that supports them,” she said. “It’s deeply fulfilling to know that by driving attendance and sales through months of hard work, we’re helping build a thriving, connected Snoqualmie Valley.”

Check it out: The Duvall Farmers Market is every Thursday, rain or shine, from 3-7 p.m. at Taylor Landing park in downtown Duvall. The market takes both WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits.

The long line for the Dick’s Drive-In food truck at the Duvall Farmers Market, May 1, 2025. Photos by Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record

Local woodworker Pete Gillis (left) and his new apprentice, Erin Cox, sharpen knives at the Pete’s Sharpening booth at the Duvall Farmers Market, May 1, 2025.