PHILLIPS — The Phillips Farmers Market opened for the season on May 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. This year, the market relocated to the Phillips Area Community Center on Depot Street and will continue to operate each Saturday throughout the season.

The PACC is a non-profit organization that hosts events and scholarships for youth, providing a community space for residents. The venue includes a large hall with a stage, a small kitchen, and two restrooms, one ADA compliant. Originally a machine shop and later the Phillips High School Gym, the historic building now offers various events and can be rented for private celebrations.

The PACC also hosts suppers, dances, theater performances, skating, and a monthly craft and flea market from June to October.

Visitors to the opening day of the farmers market had a variety of options of local products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, pastries, breads, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handmade products, plants, flowers, and artisan wares.

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There was a table of greens from a farm in Livermore Falls called Pasture Lane Amish Farm Market on Route 133.

Among the many unique items available, organizer Sandra Caton had information displayed on her table to showcase her Native Maine Driftwood Santas she makes and sells. These one-of-a-kind figures are crafted from natural driftwood collected from Maine lakes, individually hand-painted to highlight their natural grain and character. On Saturday, she had relishes, baked beans, cornbread, rhubarb sauce, cakes, and Boston brown bread.

Shosha Beal and Annamaria Beal, from Miles Square Farm, had fresh rhubarb, rhubarb juice, maple syrup, goat cheese and some green pepper plants, adding to the diverse selection of goods.

Maggie Wey of Woodland Farm and Apiary had wooden cutting boards, honey, herbal blends, asparagus and rhubarb. “I love rhubarb, it is very giving, it is one of those first things of the season,” Wey said. “My partner, George Gould, made these black walnut trim and maple wood cutting boards.”

Cathy Fast presented her Fun Fiber Art, featuring wool gloves, bracelets, small bags, and other handmade items. When 11-year-old Mary of Jay said she was currently learning to crochet little stuffed animals, Fast said she started learning at around that same age.

Lesley Davan had artisan bread, banana bread and eggs. The artisan bread was made with just a few simple ingredients like organic flour, salt, water and yeast. When asked about the turnout of vendors on the first day, Davan said, “Sometimes we have one or two other people, it depends on crops.”

For more details on the market and vendor participation, Sandy Caton can be reached at 207-639-2048.