Farmers markets usher in suburban summer

Forget Memorial Day. Summer unofficially arrives in the suburbs this Saturday—opening day for high-profile farmers markets in Carmel, Noblesville and Zionsville.

Fishers folks have to wait one more week, and the Westfield market’s 2013 season was just canceled. (Full story here.)

So in the spirit of the season, here’s the lowdown on some of the biggies. It’s by no means a comprehensive list; feel free to add your favorites in the comments section below.

Carmel Farmers Market
8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturdays
May 18-Oct. 5
Located on Carmel’s Center Green, between the Palladium concert hall and the Civic Theatre, the market features more than 60 vendors who sell edible products and flowers. Nearly 61,000 people visited the market last year.

Noblesville Farmers’ Market
8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays
May 18-Oct. 12
Held in Riverview Hospital’s overflow parking lot at the intersection of State Road 32 and State Road 19, the market features vendors selling an array of locally grown produce, plants, flowers and honey, plus handmade soaps and fresh-baked goods.

Zionsville Farmers Market
8 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturdays
May 18-Sept. 28
Located at the corner of Main Street and Hawthorne Street in the heart of the historic Village, the market features more than 35 vendors offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, breads, pastries and cheeses, and farm-fresh meats and eggs.

Fishers Farmers Market
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays
May 25-Sept. 28
Located this year on the grounds of Fishers’ new Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in the town’s municipal complex downtown, the market features almost 40 vendors selling fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, meat and cheese, and hand-crafted gifts.  About 2,500 people visit each week.