Our Story
In 1991 Dennis Lebow visualized a quiet, dead-end street in Historic Downtown Snohomish coming to life with clowns & jugglers amid vendors selling truckloads of fresh produce. Last Chance Productions, which Lebow & partner Rich Wertz operated, sponsored the first Snohomish Public market which debuted on July 9th on Avenue A. On the 200-foot street, there was room for up to 35 spaces where vendors set up shop off their tailgates. In the gazebo verlooking the Snohomish River, a bluegrass band and other musicians would performed.
The Market was short-lived at its first location and later moved to the Snohomish Iron Works property. In 1993, Marie Brayman became the Market President Manager. The Market continued to grow and eventually moved to the open grass behind the Iron Works, it remained on that site for many years.
When the new Snohomish Visitor Information Center (VIC) was proposed to be built, the Farmers Market needed to look for a new & larger site. Neil Landaas of Flying Tomato Farm became the Snohomish Market Manager in 2002 & helped move the market to its new home in the parking lot & surrounding streets near the old Carnegie Library. Karen Erickson, along with the Board of Directors, managed the market & grew it to a successful Thursday event.
In 2015, The Snohomish Farmers Market hired a new market manager, Sarah Dylan Jensen & continues to have a fantastic Board of Directors made up of market vendors & community members. We are also proud to continue our prestigious membership with the Washington State Farmers Market Association. In 2016, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary and are pleased to continue our offering of a variety of locally-grown produce, packaged foods, coffee, crafts, art & more. The continued community & business support help keep the market running week after week, along with the assistance of incredible vendors and volunteers.
Original event site at Avenue A gazebo
Secondary market site at Snohomish Iron Works property