Cochrane's annual farmers' market will be starting up Saturday June 4, and some bonus dates have been added in as well.

For the first time, market goers will be able to attend four evening markets throughout the season.

Valerie McCracken says the idea of bringing an evening market came on rather suddenly.

"We decided to collaborate with the historic Cochrane downtown businesses have some fun in the evening. They will be taking place right in the heart of our Historic downtown."

McCracken adds it will be walking traffic only and market canopies will line Historic Main Street.

"Working with the downtown businesses to make it a really great come down and do some shopping with the market, do some shopping with the businesses, enjoy some street food, enjoy some music, and entertainment, and make a fun night of it."

The bonus markets will run once a month from June-September on a Thursday evening.

The evening markets will add a new vibe and add an opportunity for season market goers as well as new customers to take in a variety of vendors.

"We want a different vibe for our evening street markets, so you will see some of the familiar faces, some of the core vendors that are able to do the Thursday market as well but it is a great opportunity we have vendors who are already committed for other Saturday markets so they are excited for the opportunity to come on a Thursday night and some we just haven't been able to fit into our market."

McCracken comments that around 40- 50 vendors will be present for the June evening market, but she anticipates that number will quickly expand during the summer months. Cochrane's Farmers' Market was recently, unofficially named one of the Province's top 12 markets.

"It really speaks to a lot of the support we get from  the community that we have been able to grow the market over the last seven or eight years. We have really gone from 20-25 vendors to now we have 50+ through our space at the Cochrane Ranche and we can only do that because the community supports our vendors and is willing to come out every Saturday and participate in the market."

Being an Alberta approved farmers' market you will not find any commercial goods.

"We focus on make, bake, or grow and over the years we really pruned it nicely to artisans, the farmers who grow the produce and raise the beef or elk and so it's arts and crafts, food and produce, it's all those things that are local and from the region and just things that you are not going to find anywhere else."

The Saturday market runs 9:30-1:30, and Thursday's 5-9 pm (June 16, July 14, August 11, September 15).