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Bonners Ferry Farmers Market celebrates 40 years

| June 11, 2020 1:00 AM

BONNERS FERRY — The Saturday, June 6 Bonners Ferry Farmers Market 40th Anniversary was a hit.

“This is the most people we’ve seen since the opening of the market,” said Edward Newcomb of Cloud Eleven Mountain Farms.

The tents were up with what appeared to be at capacity for the farmers market, with many long-time vendors returning to take part in the celebration.

The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market has a rich history in the area. It is one of the first farmers markets within the history of Idaho farmers markets and one of the original founders is often seen every Saturday at her booth.

Marsha Semar was at the opening of the first Bonners Ferry Farmers Market, 40 years ago. She was a market manager for 15 of those years.

Beginning in 1980, the original site of the farmers market was located at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. After a few years, the market moved to the city parking lot and has been there ever since.

About 30 vendors put up their tents to sell things such as salad mix, spices, handmade soaps, yarns, baskets, furniture, local honey, and other crafts and art.

The celebration included a signed commemorative photo of Marsha Semar along with a cake and some refreshments for market visitors. Ralph Walker was also present playing acoustic guitar.

The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 2020. The market is located in the city parking lot adjacent to Highway 95, across from the library.

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The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is one of the oldest farmers markets in Idaho.

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Photo by TONIA BROOKS Many craftsmen were set up for business this weekend at the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market to include Weezil Samter who crafts wire wrapped jewelry and other ethnocentric art items for customers.

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(Photo by TONIA BROOKS) Marsha Semar was part of the 40th anniversary celebration with special honors to her as one of the oldest long-time vendors at the market. Semar was a vendor at the first market in 1980 and a market manager for 15 years.

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(Photo by TONIA BROOKS) Guests to the Saturday, June 6 Farmers Market were treated with a piece of celebratory cake and refreshments along with periodic raffles for market items that lasted throughout the day.

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(Photo by TONIA BROOKS) The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the season until October.