Farmer Avery Lominska plants a Black Prince heirloom tomato.

The Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, a seasonal favorite for many area shoppers and farmers, begins its new season Saturday at a new location.

“We finally have stalls for new vendors and abundant parking for patrons,” market coordinator Mercedes Taylor-Puckett said.

About 50 vendors are expected to offer fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and other items this weekend, but at a new location on Saturdays: the city parking lot at 824 N.H.

Mayor Mike Amyx will ring the market’s opening bell at 7 a.m.

One 25-year veteran of the market expects the extra parking and space to give a boost to the market, which is starting its 30th year.

“We will get so many more new customers for Saturday that it will actually spill over to Tuesday and Thursday,” John Pendleton predicted.

Farmer Avery Lominska makes his way across Hoyland Farm with a wheelbarrow of mulch Tuesday afternoon. Lominska has been running his father Bob Lominska's stall at the Farmer's Market since he was in high school but remembers frequently attending the market as a boy with his father Bob Lominska who has been involved since the market's inception.

The market will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays until November. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the market will return to its regular location at the 1020 Vt. parking lot.

Pendleton and his wife, Karen, operate Pendleton’s Country Market at their farm in the Kaw Valley east of Lawrence.

Even though the March 12 microburst destroyed two Pendleton silos, a greenhouse and other buildings, the family’s asparagus was safely protected underground and will be ready for this weekend, he said.

To please the expected extra traffic, Pendleton plans to have baskets of asparagus, hydroponic tomatoes and spinach on hand.

“We will plant more and try to have more,” he said.

Taylor-Puckett agreed that the extra space on Saturdays likely will increase the number of vendors and their offerings.

The previous Saturday location had room for 65 sales stalls, she said, while the new location has space for 102 stalls. Some vendors already are planning to occupy multiple stalls with expanded offerings, and others who have waited for space in the market are jumping at the opportunity. She expects about 80 vendors this summer.

“We knew we would eventually fill the lots, but to do so before opening day is a testament to the reputation of the farmers market,” she said.

One benefit of the new Saturday location will be the new Market Square in the east lot on Rhode Island Street. There customers can eat at the 10 picnic tables, listen to the bands and talk with vendors about their products, Taylor-Puckett said.

Lawrence Just Food, a coalition of food pantries including ECKAN, Pelathe Center, Salvation Army and Trinity Interfaith Mission, also will open a booth on Saturdays to accept food donations.

“For us, the farmers market is all about community and the value of home-grown products,” said vendor Terri Gibbs of the Lone Star Lake Bison Ranch.