Planting Fifth Street roots
Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third graders, from left, Malia Love, Cali Cross and Birdie Bailey create art for the 5th Street Farmers Market on Tuesday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
BILL BULEY/Press
Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third graders hold up chalk after drawing fruits and vegetables for the 5th Street Farmers Market on Tuesday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third graders create art and work on a poster for the 5th Street Farmers Market on Tuesday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Couredge Solmonson, Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third grader, works on a poster for the 5th Street Farmers Market on Tuesday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Thor Ross, Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third grader, focuses on a drawing for the 5th Street Farmers Market on Tuesday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
COEUR d'ALENE — The Fifth Street Farmers Market got a little help from some young friends to prepare for opening day.
Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities third graders got down on hands and knees Tuesday, picked up chalk and created colorful fruits and veggies on Fifth Street between Sherman and Lakeside avenues.
"I feel like it's important for our school and our community to all come together at this time," said Abbey Fremouw, teacher. "Having the kids understand what is happening in our community and be part of it has been pretty important to me and our school."
The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association presents the season opener of the 5th Street Farmers Market from 4 to 7 today. It will run every Wednesday through September.
"We're ready to go," said Emily Boyd, association executive director.
The market will feature more than 40 vendors, food and live music. Vegetables, fruits, quail eggs, micro-greens, fresh honey, kettle corn, hard cider and handmade items will be for sale, along with products from more than two dozen downtown shops.
Tanden and Nichole Launder were hired by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association as directors of the 5th Street Farmers Market. Tanden Launder said the event is community-driven, will bring even more awareness of all that downtown offers and provide additional options for visitors and locals.
"There will be a lot more shopping," he said.
Tanden Launder believes the downtown market could grow this summer to nearly 100 vendors on Fifth Street from Lakeside to Coeur d'Alene avenues.
The Launders live, work and own property in the downtown area.
"It's really important to have this market stay downtown," said Tanden Launder.
On a sunny Tuesday morning, students learned about the importance of farmers markets and then decorated Fifth Street by drawing and coloring berries, bananas, carrots and grapes with chalk.
Boyd said inviting Sorensen students to create artwork for the farmers market will help develop a sense of ownership and get them involved with the downtown area.
"I think it's a pretty remarkable opportunity to have our youth be able to walk down a few blocks from school and learn about the importance of markets and help them create a sense of ownership in the opening day of a community event," Boyd said.
The Kootenai County Farmers' Market, which used to be downtown, will have its opening day May 17 on Main Street at Riverstone. It found a new home after parting ways with the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association.
