The Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market received a frosty greeting early Saturday when it opened for business, thanks to unseasonably cool late April weather.

Chuck and Joanie Shelley usually don’t set up as vendors until summer, but they got an early start this year because the market opened two weeks earlier than usual.

Big Stack Daddy band members, from top, Byron James, Michael Paull and Mick Palmer play a tune for shoppers at the Lawrence Farmers Market on Saturday.

“We had some extra bedding plants to sell,” said Chuck Shelley, of rural Douglas County. “Normally we don’t come here until July 4 because that’s when the tomatoes are ready.”

A total of 35 vendors set up for the market’s opening day, which is about half of the number of vendors who show up during the peak season in July and August, said Mercedes Taylor-Puckett, market coordinator. A few vendors were reluctant to bring in their flowers and other plants Saturday because of the cool weather, which dipped into the 30s overnight in the area, she said.

But the decision to open the market in April instead of May was made because so many growers are using season extension techniques and have a wider selection of products earlier than usual, Taylor-Puckett said.

“We have so many vendors with year-round products now,” she said.

Julia Maul, owner of Oak Grove Green House in Perry, was able to bring her perennials and sell them, but she had to keep them out of the chilling night air so they wouldn’t get damaged by the frost.

Sarah Roads shops for plants at the Wildwood Gardens booth at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market. Saturday was the beginning of the 29th season for the market, the oldest farmers market in Kansas.

“It’s been awfully cold this morning,” said Maul, who has been a vendor at the market since 1987. “We’ve had a pretty good crowd, and it’s picked up since 6:30 this morning.”

Lawrence residents Marianne Thompson and Carol Pilant left the market with their hands full of day lilies and carnations. They also carried some rhubarb.

“We’re regulars here at the market,” said Thompson, who also was celebrating her birthday. “We just love it.”

Fresh eggs greet customers at the Sage Moon Naturals booth at the opening of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market Saturday.

The market, in a parking lot in the 1000 block of Vermont Street, started its 29th season in Lawrence, and is considered the oldest farmers market in Kansas. There are no wholesalers at the market — only vendors who have homegrown or handmade products to sell.

While customers examined the products and talked with the vendors they were treated to live music by the band Big Stack Daddy.

Matt Patterson bought a bag of lettuce and was enjoying the market atmosphere for the first time since recently moving back to Lawrence from Washington, D.C.

6News video: Farmers Market opens to frosty weather

“It’s really nice to be here after being away from Lawrence for several years,” he said.