A Maypole ceremony will celebrate the launch of the fifth season for the Carnation Farmers Market, running for 21 weeks on Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m., May 13-September 30.

The market is opening with a full slate of returning farmers, bakers, beekeepers, chocolatiers, herbalists, nursery growers and chefs, along with the addition of many new farm vendors.

New farms will bring fresh bottled milk, creams and cheeses from the Skagit Valley; organic orchard fruit and produce from Eastern Washington, and handspun and woven products from alpaca fleece.

The Sno-Valley Senior Center joins the market with all-American grilled burgers with sweet Walla-Wallas and homemade pie to add to the selection of prepared foods.

This year’s market theme is “Getting to Market–Alternative Transportation.” Dog Mountain Farm is coming to market by horse and cart, green cars will rally, and bicycle groups will make Carnation their destination.

Bring your bike, horse, green car, antique truck, carpool, shuttle or walking shoes and enter for weekly market prizes.

King County Library and Hopelink are partnering with the market for a series of presentations on Sustainable Living in early summer.

Chefs and cooks will unite to offer greatly expanded cooking demonstrations using the food at the market, along with “Taste the Market” vegetable and fruit sampling every day of market.

Opening day ceremonies will include music by local bands, Maypole weaving, flower-head wreath making, seed planting and children’s activities throughout the day.Antique delivery trucks will be on display, along with horses and baby alpacas, and there will be giveaways as well throughout the day, all to be filmed by “My Home Town” for an upcoming feature on the town of Carnation.

Come dressed for a spring gala and join in celebrating a new season of fresh local farm foods. For more information, go to www.carnationfarmersmarket.org.