For a lot of people in the Boothbay region during the summer, Thursday means “Farmers Market.”

And the Boothbay Farmers Market on the Boothbay Common means flowers, healthy (mostly organic), locally grown fruits and vegetables, naturally leavened breads and pastries, freshly roasted coffee beans, hand woven baskets, wild mushrooms ... well, you get the picture.

The market is a mecca for lovers of all things good and natural.

Jan Goranson of Goranson Farm said the market has been at the Common site for around eight years. “We started at Conley's Garden Center at the invitation of the late Jane Conley, went from there to the the (Meadow Mall) parking lot, then to the high school parking lot, and finally to the Boothbay Common.” The Goranson stand is one of the most popular, with throngs of people vying for the freshest veggies and fruits.

Jim Mercer of Sheepscot Flower Farm has been selling a wide variety of specialty cut flowers, potted herbs and perennials since 1996. Mercer said the Boothbay location has been good for him and his wife, Linda, who also does farmers markets in Camden and other locations. “It's a great place for visitors to the region to buy local,” Mercer said. He is also a big supporter of his fellow marketers. Pointing across the green to the Hubbard Brook Farm stand, Mercer said, “You can't find a better basket in the Midcoast.”

Craig Sproul of Boothbay has been selling his lobsters and crabs at the market for three years. He has coolers full of live lobsters and crabs that he's more than happy to display to wide-eyed kids and adults. When asked how many he sold in a day, he said, “Not enough. I try to sell enough so I can buy some cheese and mushrooms, and a pastry once in a while.”

The newest addition to the market is a pizza business called “Crust.” Boothbay Harbor residents Shelly and Katie McLellan, along with an aunt Melanie, and Shelly's friend, Eric, use all local organic ingredients, including Eventide olive oils for their wood-fired delicacy. The dough is fresh and pressed out to order.

Leslie Bird, who lives in Boothbay Harbor but recently moved to Rome (yes, Italy) for her job, said, “This pizza looks as good, if not better, than the pizza in Rome.” During the McLellan’s first time selling at the market (on August 29), they sold out before closing time.

The customers who come to the Farmers Market are as diverse as the products sold.

Boothbay resident Paula Ragsdale said she tries to come each week to support local farming. “I love the whole farm-to-table concept,” Ragsdale said. And she said doesn't mind paying a little extra. “It's worth the extra money. I wish more people would tap into the idea of buying fresh local food.”

Dominic Hastings from Boothbay Harbor said he comes to the market almost every Thursday. He said he comes for the Goranson Farm organic produce and dairy products, the “wool lady,” Nanne Kennedy of Seacolors yarns, and the “goat lady soaps,” referring to Crystal Lewis of Blue Tin Farm. She makes lotions and soaps from the milk of Nigerian Dwarf goats, combined with other natural ingredients.

The other lady he comes for is Bet of Bet’s Fish Fry, a permanent business on the common. He didn't refer to her as the “fish lady,” but said he usually makes his way over to Bet's for her famous fried haddock.

Duncan and Sue Parker from Whitman, Mass., have been coming to Boothbay Harbor for 30 years. They were at the market with their dog, Strider. “We come for three weeks each summer,” Parker said, “And we came to this market for the first time last year.” They said they love the set-up with the picnic tables to sit and enjoy the great food. And they love the “cheese lady,” Deb Hahn of Hahn's End, who produces aged cheeses from all natural cow's milk.

Laura Ingersol and Jerrett Hansen from Baltimore, Md., came to the market with their cocker spaniel, Corky. They have a summer home here on West Harbor Pond. The said they enjoy the Farmers Market, but that it's not the only reason they look forward to Thursdays while they're here. “Thursday is a big day because it's Boothbay Register day.”

The market is open every Thursday, May 9 through October 10 from 9 a.m. till noon, rain or shine. See you there next Thursday.