While Seattle is home to many local farmers markets, few have been as successful as West Seattle’s. Since it began 10 years ago the local market has become one of the most financially successful and largest in the state.

“Of all the markets, the farmers and managers like West Seattle the best, I think because of the community,” said Curtis, of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. “They’re totally loyal. There’s a connection between merchants and buyers.”

Curtis remembers how popular the market was from the beginning.

The market always had the support of the junction’s merchants, said Curtis.

They wanted to activate the Alaska Junction on Sundays, and the Farmers Market did just that.

But to get the market up and running took a grant from the King County Agricultural Program as well as funding from Puget Sound Fresh and other farmers markets in the county.

All the support paid off on opening day. Curtis said nice weather brought 35 vendors and nearly 4,000 shoppers to the brand new market. In just a few hours, most vendors were sold out.

“There was a great deal of curiosity around the neighborhood,” said Curtis.

Since then, the West Seattle Farmers Market has seen its sales increase 15 to 20 percent each year.

Loki Fish, which has been selling wild salmon and halibut at the market since 2001, said it is their favorite in the city.

“West Seattle is super community oriented so we see a lot of the same regulars every week,” said Dylan Knutson, who manages the company’s marketing and distribution. “For me, since I grew up in West Seattle it's really my home town market.”

To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the market will be hosting a “Berry Spectacular” celebration on June 28.

During the event, shoppers will be treated to free strawberry sundaes (with fresh ice cream provided by Husky Deli and delicious Skagit Valley berries from the Sakuma Bros), fresh berry samplings and a cherry pit spit contest.

Chefs Jeff Taton of Fresh Bistro and Maya Kurose-Barber of Herban Feast will also lead a cooking demonstration.

Live music will be provided by local favorites MoZo while children enjoy a special guest appearance by the giant Veggie Mama puppet and free prizes and gifts.

The celebration will take place on June 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street in the parking lot behind Key Bank. The event is free and open to the public.