The sun made cameo appearances on Tuesday for the start of the Renton Farmers Market, while the rain dominated much of the afternoon keeping visitor numbers low.

Mayor Denis Law and Toni Nelson, a market founder and former City Council member, rang a cowbell to signal the start of the Farmers Market season under somewhat bright skies. Several hundred people came out at the beginning for the ceremony and to peruse the market and the rain came down soon after.

Close to 60 vendors sold their flowers, fruits, vegetables and a variety of other food items.

Western Washington farmers had a slow start this season, but Eastern Washington farmers are doing better due to larger greenhouses, said Valria Lopez, Farmers Market coordinator.

She expects foot traffic to pick up at the market in July and August, with even more produce available and more people aware of the market.

“Everyone is excited to see the cherries, because they’re the first of the season,” said Lizzie Resta.

She is a vendor manning the Lyall Farms booth of Mattawa, Wash. The booth had crates of fresh cherries and asparagus, which attracted passing market visitors. The farm, which is located in Grant County, will produce beans, corn, artichoke, peaches and nectarines this summer.

Resta said although they do other farmers markets in Seattle and Tacoma, they keep coming back to Renton because of the good atmosphere.

“Well, it was a little bit slow in the beginning, because there was a lot of rain. But it’s picking up now that there’s some sun,” said Resta at just past 5:30 p.m.

Market visitors came out from under tents where they went to escape the rain. Music played and they began circling the booths again while they got a break in the weather.

A popular booth that day despite the weather was Hermosa Mexican Foods with its hand-made, hot and frozen tamales.

“I’ve been very, very lucky that I’ve been blessed that people have been visiting and commenting and eating my tamales,” said Karyn Moreno, vendor and executive chef.

This was her first time as a vendor in the Renton Farmers Market. She came because she heard good things about it from friends who participate.

“It’s wonderful, to me, being outdoors even in this yucky weather, in the rain and everything. It’s still good,” said Moreno.

She uses a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. She’s been making tamales in the Pacific Northwest for about nine years. Her business is located in North Bend and she uses a commercial kitchen in Snoqualmie.

Lopez estimated that the day would probably be low in attendance because of the weather, but still draw about 1,200 visitors. She has about 20 volunteers helping her every Tuesday. It is her first year as Farmers Market coordinator.

“I love it, I’m having a blast,” said Lopez. “Today is probably the hardest day, because I didn’t know what to expect and what complications I’d run into, but it’s been great.”

FARMERS MARKETS

Downtown Renton

The Renton Farmers Market at the Piazza on South Third Street at Burnett is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sept. 27.

Valley Medical Center

The Farmers Market at Valley Medical Center opens on Sunday, June 12. That market kick off will be at 11:45 a.m. Regular hours for the Valley market are noon to 4 p.m., Sundays through Sept. 18.

For more information about the markets, call 425-430-7214 or visit www.rentonwa.gov/farmersmarket/.

Linda Clauson sits with her grandchildren, Claira and Connor Clauson, for a late lunch at the season opener of the Renton Farmers Market at the Piazza Tuesday. Charles Cortes, Renton Reporter