The new Whidbey Island Farmers Market saw an exceptionally successful opening Sunday despite the dreary weather.

More than 600 people braved the gray skies and on-and-off drizzling to shop for fresh produce and local farm and craft goods June 6. Elizabeth Agin, farmers market board director, said the turnout far exceeded board members’ expectations.

“We had a lot of things that we had to battle against,” Agin said, including “the fact that it’s kind of in a different location than what the public is generally used to.”

The Whidbey Island Farmers Market, located at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor, replaced the old Oak Harbor Farmers Market, which had its final season last year. Agin and other vendors took it upon themselves to launch a new market, so they could keep bringing local crafts and produce to Oak Harbor residents.

While this new market features some familiar faces from the old market, about half of the vendors are brand new. Some vendors were unable to attend Sunday because of the rain.

Agin said the Whidbey Island Farmers Market is the first large event to be held at Windjammer Park since its 2019 reopening. The market will be held from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Sunday through the end of September, except for July 4.

Heidi Farrington sells homemade aprons, bags and baskets at the Whidbey Island Farmers Market. (Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times)