A May revival in Moscow

With the sleepy winter months in its rear view, Moscow suddenly becomes a hub of outdoor activity during the first weekend in May.

On Saturday, the first Moscow Farmers Market of the season aligned with the popular Renaissance Fair taking place just down the road at East City Park. These events drew people who traveled to the Palouse for Washington State University’s commencement, which also took place Saturday.

“It definitely marks a very specific time of year for our community and it’s great that we have so many events that do happen, sometimes on the same day,” said Moscow community events manager Amanda Argona. “And we seem to have enough vendors that are interested in both of them.”

This year, the Moscow Farmers Market has a record number of vendors, which continues a trend of “unprecedented growth” in recent years, Argona said. She said there are 165 eligible vendors that will participate throughout the season. The Farmers Market has expanded its footprint to allow 110 spaces for vendors, she said.

One of the longest participating vendors is local photographer Alison Meyer. She has been selling her photos and other products at the Farmers Market for 32 years. She was there when it was a small event contained in a parking lot, and watched it grow into the multi-block event it is now.

“It’s more like a festival every weekend,” she said.

Thanks to the community’s support, the Farmers Market has allowed her to turn her niche business into a successful one, she said.

“This Farmers Market has allowed me to live my life the way I have and I appreciate that as a really small business,” she said.

Antone G. Holmquist said he is the unofficial photographer of the Ren Fair, now in its 51st year. His volunteer duties also include manning the coin station during the annual event.

Holmquist sells wooden coins that are the currency for the children’s section of the fair. People trade them in to take part in activities like the pony rides, juggling station and photo booth.

He has been coming to the Ren Fair since the 1970s and called it “a great spring event.” He enjoys the music, the food and seeing familiar faces.

“I enjoy the fact that a lot of people who I haven’t seen all winter come out,” he said. “I like seeing all of the costumes. The costumes have been incredible the last two years.”

Two of those people decked out in medieval attire were Ren Fair veterans Anira and Matthew Harrison.

The Harrisons hail from Coeur d’Alene and travel to various renaissance fairs in the region. They lead the Cup and Coin station at the Moscow fair, where visitors can toss replica doubloons into medieval mugs called tankards.

Anira Harrison said they love the Moscow Renaissance Fair because “it’s kind of this mash of hippie arts and music festivals.”

Plus, unlike other renaissance fairs they visit, they appreciate that the Moscow event is free and open to the public.

“It’s so much more community-oriented,” she said.

The Ren Fair will continue with dancing and performances from musicians from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; event information is available at moscowrenfair.org. Moscow Farmers Markets will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through October; more information is available at ci.moscow.id.us/197/Community-Events-Division-Moscow-Farmers.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.