MURFREESBORO – There’s nothing like fresh veggies, direct from the fertile soil of the Roanoke-Chowan region.

On the other hand, spreading a heaping helping of homemade jam or jelly on a slice of toast or a hot biscuit, fresh from the oven, is also a pleasing thought.

Either of those culinary wishes, plus many more, can come true beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 29 when the Roanoke-Chowan Farm and Garden Market celebrates the start of its fifth year at its present location during a grand opening of the 2010 season.

The Market, located just west of Murfreesboro on U.S. 158, will celebrate its season opener with the sound of music and with other special events. The Potecasi Creek Strings Band will be playing from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. After Saturday’s performance, the band will be playing at the Market every other Saturday.

There will be hot dogs and barbecue available for sale, as well as sodas and snacks.

Pet photos will be taken at the PAWS booth with proceeds to benefit the animals. PAWS animals will be available to adopt or visit. Information about pet adoption, a low-cost spay-neuter program and the upcoming PAWSfest will be provided. Please consider adopting or fostering a kitten or puppy. The Hertford County Animal Shelter does not have enough room for all the animals brought there.

Sylvia Anderson will continue to offer her beautiful wreaths and delicious baked goods, and this year she will also make some wreaths on site.

The main staple of the Market is an abundant supply of locally-grown produce. R-C area farmers George Powell and Dickie Feher will be on-hand to sell fresh cabbage, squash, Irish potatoes, cucumbers, local honey, cured side meat, pickled okra and peanuts. Both farmers are long-time vendors at the market.

Feher also sells “Dickie’s Original BBQ Sauce”, Kay’s preserves and pickles and hoop cheese.

Powell is well-known for his sweet potatoes, including both the orange and white varieties.

A new booth is the market is produce gathered from various local farmers.

Hampton Farms Peanuts will open their booth on Saturday. Come see and taste the variety of peanut products they offer.

The Roanoke-Chowan Farm and Garden Market has been open for over 10 years, starting in the parking lot of the Roberts-Vaughan Village Center in Murfreesboro. The market opened in its present building in 200, and now owns the land on which it sits. It has been a 501C3 non-profit since 2002. It is open on Saturdays, May through November, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The market’s board of directors includes Lynn Johnson, president; J.E. Benton, vice president; and Craig Dennis, secretary/ treasurer. Other members are Sylvia Anderson, Dickie Feher, George Powell, Elizabeth Phillips and Sue Gay,

For more information about the farmer’s market or Saturday’s events, call Lynn Johnson at 398-4142. You can also become a friend of the Roanoke-Chowan Farm and Garden Market and learn about upcoming activities on its new Facebook page.