May 3, 2007
Even though bursts of sunshine punctured an otherwise blustery and rainy day, high gusts of wind closed this year's first Wednesday Farmers Market about an hour early.
The first seasonal market, located on Chemeketa Street NE, held about 25 vendors. It runs until October.

Colleen Walker, the market's administrative coordinator, said the wind presented more of a safety issue than the rain. Vendors struggled to hold down their tents despite having anchor weights in place.
Vendor Michelle Weaver of Mimaw's in Aumsville lost about two dozen handmade products she had on display.

Wind battered against her tent and knocked over a table full of baskets, hand-painted candles and jewelry.
"That's what happens when you're outdoors," Weaver said. "But everyone was having a pretty good day.

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Jackie Klimowicz of West Salem walked around the market with her daughter Suzanne just as the sun broke from the rain clouds and the vendors were in midst of packing up.
"We quickly bought a little something," Klimowicz said, as she held up a bag of cauliflower and a box of fresh strawberries. She was hoping to find some snow peas, but the strawberries were a better find she said.

Nancy Kiltz of Gresham said Wednesday was the first time she was selling her wares of handwoven reed and cedar baskets in Salem. She said the weather wouldn't deter her from coming next week.
"It'll be another day.

We don't melt in the rain," Kiltz said. "This is Oregon. You take what you can get.

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Walker said, in her knowledge, it was the second market to close early because of inclement weather. The last time she could recall was about three years ago at a Saturday Market, when signs were blowing off the sawhorses.
Walker said organizers hope this Saturday's market, also the first of the season, will have a better turnout -- and better weather.

"It's important to keep optimistic," she said.