School Committee member Steve Stycos alerts us that it’s time again for the annual Big Green Book Sale and the official opening of the Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market this Saturday:

This Saturday, the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market officially opens its sixth season in the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet parking lot in Cranston with canoe rides, a wildflower walk and a used book sale, in addition to strawberries, spinach, lettuce, basil and a variety of other early spring vegetables.

The Big Green Book Sale will run from 9 AM to 12 PM to raise money for the market and our environmental projects. The book selection will be better than last year as we have received donations of about 100 cartons of books, with an especially strong collection of fiction from writers ranging from Daniel Steele to Franz Kafka. Most books will be a dollar each. Last minute donations can be brought directly to the sale between 8 and 9 PM.

Starting at 9 AM, Friends of the Pawtuxet will also offer canoe rentals hourly from the lower Rhodes on the Pawtuxet parking lot. Paddling the calm river for an hour, canoeists often see turtles, swans, muskrats and an occasional blue heron. $3/adult and $1/child. Trips leave from the lower parking lot. Reservations are strongly recommended. Please call Hillary at 784-8240.

At 10 AM naturalist Rod Rodrigues will lead a wildflower walk along the river. The free walk leaves from the lower parking lot. Stay as long as you like, but please do not bring your dog.

In addition to spring vegetables, Governor Francis Farm honey, hand made soaps and lotions, free range eggs, locally baked breads and pastries and a variety of plants will also be on sale at the market.