The Charlotte County Farmer’s Market kicked off Friday with a successful season opening at the Drakes Branch Pavilion.

According to Farmer’s Market Adviser Bob Jones, the market saw about 84 customers within the first hour on opening day. He said by the end of the day Friday, the market saw more than 300 people..

Last year’s opening day drew about 287 visitors.

As a new addition this season, the market is open one Saturday morning monthly. In April, Jones announced the market would be held on the first Saturday of each month in addition to the regular Friday hours.

He said while the market performed comparable to last year’s opening day numbers, Saturday only drew around 100 visitors.

“We really do need the support on both days,” Jones said.

Although the Saturday numbers were disappointing, Jones said the market will continue to stick it out.

As a one-stop shop, the Drakes Branch Farmer’s Market offers a variety of goods for consumers to sample and browse.

Options offered on Friday and Saturday included many old favorites, such as fresh produce, homemade baked and canned goods, jams and jelly, local herbs, herb crafts and Amish wood-crafted products.

Jones previously announced a new vendor would be in attendance this year providing beef, pork, poultry and farm-fresh eggs.

“It looks like the market is continuing to grow,” said Jones. He said since opening day, some new vendors have been added to the roster to provide cookies, fudge and crafts.

“Please keep supporting us. We’ll keep providing as much variety as we can,” Jones said.

Jeremy Elder provided entertainment for opening day at the market. “We appreciated him entertaining the crowd and making the opening market festive,” said Jones.

He said the support that the Farmer’s Market received was much appreciated and it was good to see old faces and friends from the community.

This week, the Farmer’s Market will only be held on Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. “We can’t begin sales on Saturdays before 10 a.m.,” said Jones.

The Charlotte County Farmer’s Market at Drakes Branch will run until September this season, with the possibility of specialty hours during the holidays.