Forecasts for rain and intermittently cloudy skies didn't keep the hordes away from downtown Madison as the Dane County Farmers' Market kicked off its outdoor season around the Capitol Square on Saturday morning. All elements of what might be the city's most beloved regular gathering were present: scores of vendors, the counterclockwise flow of traffic clogged with wagons and strollers, plenty of tourists, and a protest, in today's case a pair of competing rallies over the Chinese government and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
A photo gallery featuring 50 images of the first summer market is available above. Starting at the top of State Street, the photos capture the full 360 degrees of the market, with a focus on the vendors and their offerings.
