In October, InMaricopa reported the Maricopa Farmers Market was in the early stages of making its return after an eight-year hiatus. Today, the marketplace has found its home and set an official debut date.  

The Copa Farmers Market run by Sorrento resident Kevin Keone Okuma will be held in partnership with Central Arizona College at its Maricopa campus, 17945 N. Regent Drive.

The farmers market will host a soft opening Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a grand opening Jan. 19 during the same hours. It will then be held every other Sunday thereafter.

“We are so excited,” Okuma told InMaricopa today. “The vendors are coming in slow, but I think it’s just because of the holidays.”

“Maricopa is a very special place,” he told us in October, “and as the years have gone by and we’ve seen our city grow … I just really want to bring us all together.”  

Okuma said there are some vendors already confirmed for the market and another three dozen that have shown interest.  

“We have the petting zoo set up and the pet adoptions,” Okuma said, adding: “I’m partnering up with a lot of the restaurants here in Maricopa.”

Okuma said he chose to partner with CAC because he hosts his Island Treats Shave Ice food truck there, describing the venue as being in a good location with ample parking.  

“When I reached out to Megan Purvis, she said, ‘Oh my god, we have been looking for someone to do this with us,’” Okuma said, referring to the college’s director of community. “They are cosponsoring and cohosting, and the facilities are great.”  

He noted that CAC is also open to adding a smaller indoor market during the hot season from June through September and he has already reserved space for it.  

Other sponsors currently include K. Hovanian Homes and Safe Haven Security ADT, Okuma’s employer. However, he said he is still seeking sponsors for the market.  

Entertainment beyond the promised petting zoo will include a Polynesian hula dance show, and Okuma said he is working with the Maricopa High School choir to have them perform during market hours as well. 

“We’re going to have the police department and the fire department, hopefully, to do some safety tips,” Okuma said. “Especially with our city growing, we all know there’s always some kind of crime that’s happening. So, it’d be good to just kind of have a couple guest speakers from fire and police that can speak to what to look out for.” 

Okuma is still looking for more performers and vendors. Those who are interested can reach out to him at 480-306-1958. 

For interested vendors, the introductory rate is $50 per booth per Sunday. Okuma noted that it was reduced from $85 that it used to be when the O.G. farmers market shuttered in 2017.  

The rate change and entertainment offerings are “a lot more affordable and more entertaining for vendors,” Okuma said.

He encouraged people to be understanding as the market regains its footing.  

“I don’t want people to be quick to judge and say there weren’t enough vendors or that it was so small,” Okuma said. “I just want people to patient and know that this is going to be an ongoing and growing thing.”