Farmers' Market Kicks Off

Locals had their choice of anything from tomato sauce and pasta to fresh baked muffins, jewelry and soaps at the first farmers' market of the season.

Once the cow bell rang at 9 a.m., shoppers spent the morning meeting old friends and buying fresh goods with their families. The rain held off until the last hour of the market, but didn't deter crowds from taking part.

Lines snaked from the annual favorite Cider Hill Farms of Amesbury and AJ King Bakery of Salem. 

Other crowd-pleasers were Sticky Rice Bistro, selling  an assortment of Chinese food, and Leslie's Kitchen, which offered baked goods, such as breads and pies were flying off the table. 

Lobsterman Paul Crowell gave young children the chance to view his fresh caught lobsters. And owner of Valicenti Organico, David Valicenti, said business was booming as he gave away free samples of his tomato sauce to rave reviews.