Blue skies arrived just in time for the opening of the Queen Anne Farmers Market, which kicks off its 5th season from 3 to 7:30 p.m. today, Thursday, June 2 at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. (Watch out for drizzle though – despite the fact that it’s June, rain is still in the forecast for today).

Rain or shine the market will be bustling with over 40 farmers and food vendors, adult and kids cooking demonstrations, and live music.

Check out what’s on the schedule for Opening Day:

• 3 p.m. – Live Music: Mariachi Monarcas of Seattle, sponsored by Umpqua Bank;
• Welcome – George Counts, M.D., Market Founder & Secretary, QANRG;
  
• John Hay Elementary Chorus;
  
• Remarks by: Richard Conlin, Seattle City Council President, Senator Jeanne Kohl Welles, and Representative Reuven Carlyle

• 4 p.m. – Market musician: Vincent Mtz & the Great Blue Yonder
• 4 p.m. – Chef Demo: Seth Caswell, Emmer & Rye
• 5:30 p.m. – Kids Cooking Class

In addition to the market’s popular returning vendors, a number of ready-made food trucks will also be swinging by, including the ever popular Parfait artisan ice cream, Anita’s Crepes, Maximum/Minimus, and a few new ones including Seattle Salads (fresh salads and wraps) and Where Ya At Matt? (Creole soul food). Check out the full list of vendors this year here.

Looking to stock with fresh eats at the market today? Here’s what’s fresh at the market this week: asparagus, spinach, spring greens, peonies, red rhubarb, organic herbs, and more.

Season sponsors include Metropolitan Market; Umpqua
Bank; Rene Stern, Windermere Real Estate; and HomeStreet Bank.

Seattle’s original curbside cuisine celebration, Mobile Chowdown, will be back for the fourth installment of the street food festival (and the third right here in Queen Anne) this Saturday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Fun Forest site (now known as Center Square) at Seattle Center (just across from EMP and beneath the Space Needle).

The first Mobile Chowdown held in Interbay last October was a big hit, despite the long lines, food shortages (due to the high volume of attendees) and lack of bathrooms. But the festival took suggestions from the public, and improved its organization for the second round in January, adding covered seating areas and more vendors. The third time around (though not in Queen Anne), the festival challenged Portland mobile vendors to a regional street food-off, and added live music to the mix. So I think it’s safe to say we can expect bigger and better things from the fourth Mobile Chowdown fiesta!

In the biggest lineup yet, Mobile Chowdown 4 will include Anita’s Crepes, Hallava Falafel, El Camion, Kao Samai Thai, Marination Mobile, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Here & There Grill, Parfait Ice Cream, Got Soup?, Al’s Sausage, Koi Fusion (PDX), Whiffies (PDX), Potato Champion (PDX), The People’s Pig (PDX), Maximus/Minimus, Skillet, Top Pot Doughnuts and Street Treats.

DJ Joy will be back by popular demand to play music for the crowd. And new to the event this time around: a beer garden sponsored by Pyramid Breweries.

Mobile Chowdown is co-sponsored by Seattle magazine and Suzuki Chou Communimedia.

Yesterday was opening day at the Queen Anne Farmers Market, and there was no shortage of festivities, from surprise swing dancing…

…to performances by the Coe Elementary and John Hay Elementary children’s choirs.

(Photo courtesy of Jon Boyce).

Canlis chef Jason Franey demoed his cooking skills (with samples!), and the folks from Chocolopolis handed out sweet treats.

Many QAFM old timers returned to the market this year…

..including Seattle street food favorites Parfait and Maximus/Minimus.

The market also welcomed a number of newcomers, including the folks from Jello Mold Farm in the Skagit Valley, who were excited to take part in their first farmers market ever.

The Queen Anne Farmers Market will be held every Thursday, through October 7, 2010 from 3 to 7 p.m. on W Crockett St. at Queen Anne Ave N. Happy market season, Queen Anne!