SPARKS — Victorian Square was in full swing for Thursday’s kick-off of Whole Foods Farmers Market.

Hundreds of people flooded the block of canopies shading fruits, vegetables, ice cream and even hot sauce.

Sierra Swirl, a soft serve ice cream vendor from Sparks, returned for its 11th year at the Farmers Market under the management of Bruce McVeigh who says they only bring their treat-making machinery out for special events.

“We have a good following in Sparks so we can keep our prices low at these events,” McVeigh said adding praise for the venue change to Victorian Square Plaza. “This has always been a great event and we are enjoying the venue because we get a lot more kids.”

Lauriano Sanchez was a unique vendor at the event displaying his iron garden decorations and attracting several crowd members. Sanchez has been a vendor at the Sparks farmers market for four years.

“I get more projects and requests for unique pieces when I come to these events,” Sanchez said adding that he travels to similar festivals in Carson City and Gardnerville. “In the Spring people are readying their gardens and they call and ask for things they see at these shows.”

Sanchez has been a weldor for more than 30 years. He and his family began designing and working with scrap metal and recycled metal to form flower and wildlife sculptures for their business Casa Bonita Home and garden Decor.

Another booth breaking the mold of vegetables and fruits was West Coast Hot Sauce, a local business that was attending its second farmers market in as many weeks and its first Sparks farmers market.

“The Summit Farmers Market went really well and there are a lot of people and a lot of variety of people here,” owner Roy Byrne said. “We’re a small business that is just starting out and we will be here every weekend.”

Byrne said West Coast Hot Sauce plans to attend as many festivals and events during the summer in Reno and Sparks as possible.

They have already booked booths for the Nugget Rib Cook-Off, Street Vibrations and many other events.

The Whole Foods Farmers Market will be held at Victorian Square Plaza from 3-8 p.m. every Thursday until Aug. 23, excluding Aug. 9. Vendors and booths include fresh produce, homemade foods and items, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, live music and more.