By Jason Sweeney

Reggae music and the aroma of barbecuing meat filled the air downtown last Thursday evening. The rain stopped in time for the kickoff of the sixth annual Los Altos Farmers Market.

Attendees at this year’s first farmers market may have noticed additional vendors.

“We’ve grown,” said Ron Pardini, the executive director of Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, which organizes the market. Pardini said this year’s farmers market is offering more variety as well as additional organic farmers.

The farmers market is scheduled 4-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29. This year the market has shifted a block, with booths, vendors and musicians setting up shop on State Street between First and Third streets.

The Los Altos Village Association calls it the biggest farmers market in Los Altos history. LAVA is encouraging local businesses to participate with discounts, special food and promotions and will help promote businesses that are LAVA members.

The farmers market attracts heavy foot traffic downtown, giving businesses a good opportunity for publicity, according to a statement from LAVA. LAVA reserves space at the market for one or two of its members to promote their businesses in the community. LAVA members join in the market for free.

For more information, call the Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association at (510) 745-7100 or log on to www.urbanvillageonline.com. Businesses interested in participating should call Matt Bettencourt at 949-5282 or e-mail asstLAVA@pacbell.net.