The arrival of May means summer is getting closer, and so is the beginning of one long-standing Bourbon County tradition.

The 2008 season of the Bourbon County Area Farmers Market, where area producers are able to sell their fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods at one location, is scheduled to officially open on Saturday, May 10. The twice-weekly market will be open from 7 to 9 a.m. every Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to noon every Wednesday starting May 14. The market will run through October.

The market is very popular with people who like to purchase reasonably priced farm-fresh produce or all-natural food products from certified organic vendors, according to local resident and former vendor Mary Corpstein, whose family has been involved with the Farmers Market for several years. Corpstein said she still provides baked goods and other products to the popular market.

"People like it and they (vendors) want people to come out and support them," Corpstein said.

There will be more vendors present to sell their wares this year than last year, Corpstein said. Typically, there are at least six or seven vendors present at each market, she said. Some of the vendors come from within a 30-mile radius of Fort Scott and other towns in Bourbon County.

Two of those vendors are Randy and Barbara Gray, a couple from Hiattville who are certified to sell organic products that they have grown and sold at the market the last few years.

The market is sponsored by the Fort Scott PRIDE organization, which also provides volunteers who help out at each market and collect required state sales tax from vendors. However, vendors are not required to pay fees to set up or use the booths to sell their products, unlike a process used by Farmers Markets in other surrounding communities, Corpstein said.

Each market takes place in the parking lot of the Good Shepherd Thrift Store at the corner of Fourth and Judson streets. Area gardeners and farmers are encouraged to bring flowers, bedding plants, straw, eggs, baked goods, honey, vegetables, fruit, and any garden produce they wish to sell. Other than food items, the market also offers different types of perennial plants and shrubs, homemade arts and crafts, and even scented candles and homemade lotions and soaps.

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Items to be sold at the market must be clean and displayed at least 18 inches from the ground on tables, car trunks, or clean truck beds.