The mayor’s ceremonial cheese toss, free pony cart rides and live music from popular island band Stolen Glory are among the highlights of opening day of the 2018 season of Bainbridge Island Farmers Market, set to return to Winslow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31 in Town Square, between city hall and Bainbridge Performing Arts.

“We are excited about not only bringing our early fresh produce to market but also about some of our new vendors for 2018,” said Peter Weber, market president and owner of Farmhouse Organics. “The market is a terrific place for neighbors to mingle, grab something to eat and take home local vegetables for dinner. It’s a great atmosphere and a big boost for local farmers and crafters.”

As always, the market will have an abundance of locally grown produce, plants, flowers, eggs, honey and wine, as well as artisan crafts, including wearables and jewelry, art glass, woodcraft, metalcraft and garden art, paintings, pastries, pottery, and hot food items from more than 35 vendors.

Powell and Jones Craft Chocolate and Pan d’Amore Artisan Bakery are among the food vendors who will be returning or debuting on opening day.

Powell and Jones will offer some of its chocolate bunnies just in time for the Easter season, while Pan d’Amore will be selling some of its popular breads, scones and cookies. Also returning is the state’s longest running family farm: the Clark Family Farm.

Tom Clark, a fifth-generation farmer, owns and operates the Clark Family Farm with his wife, Holly. The couple offer 100 percent grass-fed beef, along with custom tallow soap.

The Ace Hardware-Rosie Creek Carriage will be offering free pony cart rides beginning at 9 a.m.

Weber and a handful of local farmers and artists were part of the first Saturday market, officially started in 1993 on what is now Winslow Green. The association gives all Bainbridge farmers an outlet to sell their produce and is one of the few markets in the state where vendors do not pay a percentage of their profits. Vendors are charged a modest booth fee to help offset marketing and advertising costs.

Special events, such as the popular zucchini race in September and tomato tasting in August, are also expected to return to the market this year.

For more information, visit www.bainbridgefarmersmarket.com.