On Saturdays until September, community members can find different goods from local vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rainier Saturday Outdoor Market, 206 Binghampton St. SE, near Wilkowski Park as the event returns from winter hiatus.
An indication that spring has arrived in the Nisqually Valley region, the market returned to Rainier on Saturday, May 4, and welcomed customers and those just looking to browse throughout the day.
Kevin Pettit, Rainier Saturday Outdoor Market organizer, said each Saturday market is dependent on the weather. He said the market has grown in size each year since he’s been involved with the Saturday sale.
“From when we started, having six vendors to eight vendors, to what we have now with 20-plus … Last year’s opening saw over 30 vendors, and it’s really grown a lot,” Pettit said. “For me, it’s a fun get-out. I’m a volunteer there. All of our funds go to the Rainier Senior Center to help support us, and it really does.”
Pettit said the field of items featured at the Rainier Saturday Market this year includes custom blankets, vintage clothing, items for horses, paintings and other artwork, LuLaRoe, bird houses, planters, doll clothes, soil testing and seedlings, teddy bear dresses and clothing, kids dresses and clothing, horseshoe art, vegetable starters and much more.
Those interested in becoming a vendor can message the event’s self-titled Facebook page, or email DaddyPettit53@gmail.com with inquiries. Pettit said his daughter, Dawn Workman, has been helping him with vendor organization so no multiple vendors sell the same items.
The Rainier Saturday Market will also host a canned food and goods drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. The event will coincide with the annual Seattle to Portland bike ride, and Pettit encourages the community and bicyclists to participate in the second annual event.
Items from the drive will be donated to the food pantry run by the Valley Heart Church in Rainier. Members of the organization will be collecting donation items next to the Rainier Chapel.
“We did it last year, and we did 675 pounds of food for our first time,” Pettit said. “We had a trailer, and it was full. We also got 75 pounds of ladies health and beauty products. We’re trying to beat both numbers this year.”
