photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

There’s nothing like a farmers market to get people out of bed early on a weekend, and that’s especially true of the first market of the season.

On Saturday, hundreds of people, many with strollers and dogs in tow, swarmed the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market on its opening day, beginning less than an hour after sunrise — shopping for vegetables, eggs, plants, meats, flowers, soaps and more, or just enjoying the people watching with a cup of coffee, breakfast burrito or fresh pastry. Musicians were also on hand to provide tunes and, in some case, dance music for excited kids.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

More than 50 vendors were on hand in the 800 block of New Hampshire Street against a backdrop of sunny skies and flowering trees. The market, which has been active since 1976 when it started with a handful of farmers, will run from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday through Nov. 22.

An interactive map is available on the market’s website so that shoppers can plan their purchases as the season progresses.

The market describes itself as “hyperlocal,” meaning that its vendors are within 50 miles of Lawrence and are located in Kansas.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.