Charlotte Regional Farmers Market celebrates turning 40 with a Spring Fling event Sunday

         To celebrate turning 40 and the arrival of season’s first local fruits and produce, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is hosting a Spring Fling event Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fun activities for the whole family, plus free strawberry ice cream and strawberry cake. 
            There will be a seed planting activity where kids can take home the potted seeds and watch them grow and an opportunity to make a pine needle hedgehog craft, plus guests can take selfies in a photo booth, hear presentations on native plants, and participate in the Flounder Fling game. Lucky Fish Seafood will have a N.C. seafood display and Northbay Oyster Company will demonstrate shucking oysters.
            Local breweries, meaderies, distilleries and wineries will also be sampling their drinks and pairing them with cheeses for the adults. 
            The market is also hosting a strawberry recipe contest. Bring your favorite strawberry dish to the market Sunday before 10 a.m. Recipes must contain at least two cups of North Carolina strawberries and can be a dessert, breakfast item, side dish, main dish or anything else you would like to enter. Call the market at 704-357-1269 for more information on the contest. 
           At the event, visitors will find local strawberries and greens, plus a good selection of vegetable and garden plants. Staff from the N.C. Department of Agriculture will be on hand to answer questions.  Vendors will offer local produce, plants, baked goods and N.C. meat, cheeses and seafood for sale.
            The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, located at 1801 Yorkmont Road, is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.