While the Ironton Farmers Market has its official grand opening on Saturday, the Ironton In Bloom annual plant sale kicks off as well.

The IIB plant sale will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the lot adjacent to the Farmers Market on Second and Vernon streets. Hanging baskets, mixed flower pots for Mother’s Day, flats, geraniums, super petunias, mandevillas, zinnias, elephant ears, snapdragons, verbenas, coleuses and begonias will be available. Children will be given a free pot and flower to plant and decorate for a Mother’ s Day gift. The sale is IIB’s annual fundraising event and all proceeds go toward the group’s beautification efforts throughout the City of Ironton.

The Farmers Market opens at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday for the second weekend in a row. Vendors at the market will offer the regular fare and kettle corn will also be for sale. The Ohio University Southern Band under the direction of Dr. Pat McCoy will begin playing at noon.

“Market vendors are not charged to participate,” Sam Heighton, market manager, said. “Our Lady of Bellefonte is sponsoring the market for the second-straight year.”

Heighton said new vendors are always welcome and more information is available by calling 740-533-7951 or visiting www.irontonfarmersmarket.com.