4/3: North Union Farmers Market opens

It must be spring for real. Today, the North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square comes out of hibernation from its indoor winter-market spot to take over Shaker Boulevard with an array of seasonal produce, flowers, baked goods and more — all locally grown or made. (Be sure to pick up the first herb pots of the season or a bag of multicolored oyster mushrooms from Killbuck Farms.) The market opens at 8 a.m. with the ceremonial shearing of the sheep and runs through noon — regular hours through December. There’ll also be alpacas, music and Brian Doyle of Danny’s Organic Marketplace in Mentor, this week’s “Chef at the Market,” who will dispense info and advice. North Union Farmers Markets also sponsors six other markets that open later in the season; next up is the Crocker Park Market, which opens April 10. — Anastasia Pantsios