Mother Nature has thrown vendors' tents to the ground with strong winds and drenched guests on opening day of The Farmers Market at Fairfield Hills in recent years, but not this year.The Farmers Market at Fairfield Hills runs every Tuesday, from 2 to 6 pm, through October. It is set up on the northwest corner of DG Beers Boulevard and 1st Street.

Despite a forecast for thunderstorms starting at 2 pm, Tuesday, June 28, and a wind that picked up as mist filled the air, clouds held their rain as dozens of marketgoers perused fruits, vegetables, herbs, crafters, and, new this year, prepared food vendors.

Although a few were missing, according to Market Master Sue Shortt, additional food vendors will fill out the venue by next week or the week after.

With a large smoker sending up its plumes was Hog Wild BBQ, filling the market with backyard picnic aromas. Keeping an eye on the smoker was Jackson Brunetti.

Nearby were other foods for sale, including fresh baked breads and pesto.

"Try it, it's delicious," came the compliment from one shopper stepping away from the Beldotti Bakeries booth where Giovanni Castano served guests including Lauren Beier, who pointed out what she wanted to buy. She held a bundle of cut orange day lilies she had found for sale at a corner booth. Many lily clusters filled the tables at Waldingfield Farm, adding their splash of color to the greens - lettuce, Swiss chard, bok choy, and more. Tending the booth and rearranging a display of beets was Sam Cox.

Board Certified Health Coach Michelina Disibio of Sandy Hook tended a squash vine and its flowers growing around a post. While minding her tower garden, she spoke with visitors, hoping to promote nutrition and "help people fill gaps in their diets," she said. "It's our first year and we are trying to encourage healthy living and eating."

Southbury-based Aradia Farms had set up a booth for its second year with the market. For sale were frozen pasture- and organic-fed meats. Also from Southbury was Daffodil Hill Growers at Woodside Farm. Tending the booth was Nick Harper who helped guests choose from produce including red Russian kale, squash and oregano.

Approaching his booth was Lisa Krapf, pushing her godson, Cody Carlson, in a stroller.

Vegetables and foods aside, Susan Snow of Sandy Hook was selling silk screening supplies and describing how she had made the tapestries she had on display. Nodding as she listened was Hope Mosher, and to her left was another interested guest, Janice Troll.

As visitors circled booths filling a lawn near the Fairfield Hills main entrance, they found Terry Ferris standing behind the Ferris Acres Creamery table. Joining the market for the first time this year, the local dairy farm-based ice cream manufacturer - like other food vendors - has taken advantage to changes in zoning to allow them in.