Correspondent photo / Karla Dines Children attending the Warren Farmers Market in North Park Commons in downtown Warren on Friday enjoyed lifting the parachute and watching it billow at the end of the market. Groups of students from Inspiring Minds and the triYOU CARES summer school program attended the event.

WARREN — The Warren Farmers Market, which takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday at North Park Commons in downtown Warren, is a vibrant gathering place that offers more than just fresh local produce — it’s also a hub for family-friendly treats, music and activities.

The market on Friday included two food trucks: The Fresh Rival, offering fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable drinks and fruit bowls, and PITA Authentic Gyros. Handmade cloth items, jewelry and 3-D-printed items were among some of the many products available at Friday’s market.

From sourdough bread, pretzels and bagels to pastries, specialty breads, bread pudding, cupcakes, cookies, and cakes, there were plenty of items perfect to bring home for snacks or dessert. Some of the healthy fresh produce included sunflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, speckled pea, and China rose radish microgreens, fresh garlic, beets, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, lettuce, garlic scapes and herbs.

But more important than the products were the people who attended.

Twelve high school Inspiring Minds members were on hand before the market began to help vendors unload their vehicles, carry tables and help to set up tents. The students wanted to do some community service and also were available to help shoppers carry items to their cars.

Thirty-two middle school Inspiring Minds students participated in a scavenger hunt. Olivia May, 17, and Aaliyah Tucker, 16, both of Warren, served as artists, drawing pictures of participants in exchange for a token.

Eight walkers met for this week’s Walking Club, which meets at every market at 12:30 p.m. After their mile-long walk, participants receive $5 in tokens for completing the walk.

The triYOU CARES summer school program participants were at the market, trying a new vegetable they had never tasted before. This week, the vegetable was yellow squash. The children who tried the squash received $2 in tokens they could use to purchase fruits or vegetables at the market.

“Kids only like what they are exposed to,” said Paulette Edington, founder and director of triYOU CARES.

Cadence Care Network of Niles, which offers a drug prevention program, school counselors and social workers, and a foster care program, was represented by Jeremy Walker, who was available to answer questions and hand out art supplies and coloring books to children visiting the market.

Alta Care Group was available to offer information about their services. Alta Head Start is a preschool program for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

Several attendees ate lunch at the picnic tables while enjoying live music from the Richie Wilkins Band.

The Warren City Health District was on hand and will continue to be at the Warren Farmers Market throughout the season. Courtney Hrubik was at their booth, offering information about tick and flea control and prevention, answering questions and distributing free educational resources.

There was a drawing for Scrappers Pepper in Oil Night tickets and a shopping bag giveaway. One winner received four Scrappers tickets.

Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership’s Community Programs Coordinator, Sevasti Tripoulas, said the next market is July 3 and will include Highland Acres cuddle cows. “The theme for the next market is ‘Shop, Eat, Moo’ and we will be celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States,” Tripoulas said.