Camas Farmers Market opens season in new location

For the first time in nearly two decades, visitors to the Camas Farmers Market will have to go somewhere new. What they won’t have to search for is the lively mix of local farmers, food vendors, music and community gathering that has made the market one of downtown Camas’ signature events.

The market’s 19th season kicked off June 3 at its new temporary location, Birch Street between Third and Fourth avenues and Fourth Avenue between Adams and Birch streets, necessitated by the construction of the city’s new fire station.

“We’re so excited, even with the new location,” said Leah Nichelson, the market’s manager and vendor liaison. “All of the visitors’ favorites will still be there. At its heart, it’s still the same wonderful community market, just in a new spot.”

The market, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 30, features seasonal produce, flowers, natural products and prepared and hot foods from 20 local and regional vendors, as well as chef demonstrations, healthy living and garden information, kids’ activities and live music from local musicians.

“We were able to bring back every vendor who reapplied this year,” Nichelson said. “They’ve been incredibly understanding and flexible, and their positive response reflects the trust they’ve placed in us to make the move a success.”

Organizers considered moving the market to renovated Crown Park but decided that “it was so important for it to stay in downtown Camas,” Nichelson said.

“Each week, the market draws between 1,500 and 3,000 people, and over the course of an 18-week season, that has a significant economic impact on our local businesses,” she said. “That’s a boost that they wouldn’t have seen had we needed to go outside of our downtown.”

Nichelson said market organizers worked well with city leaders to ensure a smooth transition, which involved a communication effort that included social media posts, news releases, downtown signage and a pop-up booth at the Camas Plant and Garden Fair.

“(The new location) is an accessible area, and there’s enough parking for not only our vendors but for our shoppers,” she said. “The other attraction was the two temporary power banks that we can use to host all of our food vendors who are super important to the event and the overall experience.”

Nichelson said the new location could also attract customers to businesses on the west end of Fourth Avenue.

“Overall, it’s been really positive for us,” said Andy Regan, co-owner of Camas Cheese Co. at 231 N.E. Fourth Ave. “Having foot traffic right in front of us, instead of hoping people make their way a few blocks down, has been a big benefit. From a business perspective, this setup allows more businesses to be seen — some people might not ever come down two or three blocks (from the previous location).”

Lori Cano, the owner of Poppy and Hawk, an artisan goods and clothing store at 223 N.E. Fourth Ave., also expressed excitement about the market’s new temporary location.

“This end of the street has always been kind of the forgotten block. A lot of people don’t shop down here or even know we’re here,” Cano said. “I’ve been here five years and people still didn’t know my store was here. I’m hoping the market brings in people who have never visited before, so I’m really excited about it. It feels like everything always happens at the other end of downtown, so having the market here is going to be really good for our businesses.”

Vendors also expressed optimism about the 2026 market season. Steve Inzalaco, the owner of Camas’ Shady Grove Farms, said that “overall, (June 3) was a great opening day for us.”

“Sales were up, and we were encouraged to see so many customers come out and support the market despite the significant location change,” he said. “The community really showed up for local farmers and vendors.”

The vendors have had to adjust to the market’s temporary location, trading the library lawn and wider streets of its longtime home for a more compact setup. The new arrangement has created logistical challenges for Inzalaco, particularly, because he can no longer keep his cooler trailer adjacent to his booth, requiring him to rethink how he manages inventory and maintain product freshness throughout the day.

“Like many vendors, we miss the library lawn and the wider streets of the previous location,” Inzalaco said. “That said, we’re incredibly grateful that the Camas Farmers Market is operating this season. The market is an important part of the community and a valuable outlet for local farms and small businesses, and we’re optimistic about the season ahead.”