The long-awaited return of a local farmers market proved a winner by both attendees and vendors at Central Arizona College this morning. 

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

Rancho Mirage residents Matt, Amber and their six-year-old son Gabe Franklin were among hundreds to show up to the event where locals could buy plants, sweet treats and adopt pets.  

“We saw that the farmers market was coming back, and it was something we wanted to check out,” Matt Franklin said. “We want to see it grow and help the community. We’ll definitely be back.” 

Other locals, who attended as vendors, said the turnout was much larger than they expected and said many people had the same mindset as the Franklins. 

“A lot of people came here and they’re really enthusiastic,” said Austin Lynn, a Homestead resident and owner of Garden Social plant nursery. 

Lynn was selling his homegrown plants at the event with his wife Teresa, and two-year-old daughter Rosanna, but joked about his concern that his daughter was stealing all of his business with her own little pots of plants. 

“This is the first time she’s ever planted with me,” he said of his daughter equipped with her own cash register. “She’s selling them herself to fund her ballet in the spring and to buy a toy.” 

The family was concerned about bringing too many plants, and needing to haul them back home, but Lynn said that wasn’t a concern anymore. 

“We have cleared off most of our tables and we’ll be coming back with more next time,” he said. 

Pinal County Animal Care and Control also attended the event hoping to find homes for five dogs. By noon, three of the pooches had found their fur-ever home. 

“Usually, I bring dogs that I think will thrive in this environment,” she said. “I just do my best to help them get into a home.” 

Okuma said he thinks the first event was a success, and that he is still working to find more vendors to sell produce at future events, which will start Jan. 19 and run 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. It will then be held every other Sunday thereafter. 

“I was nervous, but I think it turned out pretty well,” Okuma said. “Everybody was just blown away this morning.”