With springtime in full bloom, local farmers markets are preparing to set up shop across Jefferson City.
The Cole County Farmers Market will open for the season this Friday, operating in the southwest parking lot of the Capital Mall at 3600 Country Club Drive in Jefferson City. It will be open 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays, through the end of October.
Vendors will offer items like homegrown fruits, vegetables, breads and jellies, among other items.
"You get something different every year," organizer Kenny Anderson said. "We've got people who come and sell different goods, different jellies, different vegetables. You never know what's going to show up. There's always a pretty good variety in the summer."
The Lincoln University Farmers Market will open May 11 and run to October. Operating from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, the market will be located at 1912 Chestnut St. in Jefferson City.
While organizers of the Capital City Farmers Market have not confirmed a start date, they hope to open the market in mid- to late May, said Diana Duncan, president of the Capital City Farmers Market board.
The market would operate 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Orschlen Farm and Home parking lot at 2304 Missouri Blvd.
The market operated out of an indoor space at 130 E. Dunklin St. last year, but organizers announced last December they had to leave this location due to rent and business expenses.