Herbs & Starts Festival

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 - With the weather warming up and spring showers bringing life back to plants, it is the perfect time time to begin preparing a summer garden.

Allen Farmers Market, 1629 E. Kalamazoo St., hosts its Herbs & Starts Festival today between 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the first of six between now and October.

The farmers market is open year round its doors on Wednesdays, selling fresh produce and other food while also creating an atmosphere to socialize with neighbors. Last week marked the start to the outdoor season, when the market will also be outside in the parking lot and not just inside the Allen Market Place.

The Herbs & Starts Festival is celebrating springtime with a huge selection of herbs and starter plants from local farms.

Market manager Julie Kramer said the farms are Tomac Pumpkins, Green Eagle Farms, Magnolia Farms and Hillcrest Farms.

“There will be 20 other vendors with fresh produce and other food as well,” Kramer said.

The festival will also feature Alex Mendenall, a local folk musician, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kramer said there is live music at every market.

The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau will be a special guest. Kramer said the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau will be on hand with information about the upcoming Be A Tourist In Your Own Town festival.

The next festival put on by Allen Farmers Market will be the Strawberry Festival on June 20.