Tuesday May 20, Pearl Market opened for the season with a resounding bang. The Columbus Police and Fire Pipes and Drums livened up Pearl and Lynn Alleys with their piping and traditional kilts. The full-time officers and firefighters took to the sidewalk and marched along sections of Gay, High and Broad Streets before entering the Market.

Customers grouped around the intersection of Pearl and Lynn Alleys to better hear the band's performance and the speeches of the assembled guest speakers.

City of Columbus Councilmember Priscilla Tyson thanked Puffin West Foundation for their award of $10,000 to the one-to-one matching program for Ohio Direction card users, and Joe Gilligan, a representative for Senator Sherrod Brown, emphasized the importance of buying local.

After the brief opening ceremony, shoppers returned to their perusing of various food trucks, farmers' stands and merchants' tents. Products including ice cream, BBQ Sauce, jewelry, olive oil, graphic t-shirts, fresh produce and baked goods were all available within a short walk of each other.

Many of the various products displayed on opening day will continue to be available in the coming weeks. As the weather warms up, leave the office for lunch time and check out Pearl Market.