The Bellingham Farmers Market will celebrate the opening day of its 20th season at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, with a mini-procession down Railroad Avenue featuring featuring antique tractors from the Puget Sound Antique Tractor & Machinery Association.

Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville will toss the traditional cabbage used to officially open the season each year.

The market will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Depot Market Square on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street in downtown Bellingham. Seasons run from April through December.

New food vendors this year include Dashi Noodle Bar, The Table Restaurant and Acme Ice Cream, according to a March 13 press release.

The market also welcomes two new all-natural dog treat vendors: B.E.G. and Bear Dog Biscuits.

New craft items featured in the 2012 season include handspun yarn from Yarnachy, hardwood kitchen utensils from Fisher Woodworking, home accessories made with recycled and reclaimed materials from Simplework, as well as children’s items from Urchins, Teagan and Bailey, Woodland Star Baby and Chelle Beautiful Face Painting.

New farms selling at the market this year include Backyard Beans and Grains Project, Hank’s Garden, Kulshan Farm, Shady Pond Tree Farm, Wild Fish Wives and Windy Meadows Nursery.

The nonprofit group Sustainable Connections has selected the market’s opening day as the release date for its 2012 “Whatcom Food and Farm Finder,” a guide and map to local food and agriculture.

“This guide highlights everything folks need to know about the restaurants, cafes, caterers and grocers who support local agriculture—plus the farm stands, farmers markets, u-picks, ranchers and fishers that are the backbone of our Whatcom County food system,” said Laura Leigh Ridenour, Sustainable Connections’ food and farming program manager.