Bixby Park will get healthier with the announcement of a Saturday farmers market, in addition to the Tuesday night farmers market.

The new market will operate from 9:00AM to 2:00PM every Saturday beginning March 21 at the park, located at 130 Cherry Avenue.

“The farmers market on Tuesday night was a game changer at Bixby Park, so I can’t think of a better way to further activate the park while providing a service to the neighborhood,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in a statement Thursday.

Market director Lee Ostendorf said the new market was a result of demand from the community, and will also include family-friendly activities like pony rides and a petting zoo.

“Since the beginning of the Tuesday Farmers Market, customers have said that they wished it was on the weekend so they could attend,” Ostendorf said. “It is hard for many to get home from work on Tuesdays and still be able to stop by the market. However, the Saturday market will be a little different than Tuesdays. I would like to add activities for kids, coordinating with our wonderful park staff and community.”

The following vendors have been confirmed for the Saturday market: Lincoln Springs Farm, Energy Bee Farm, YNT Farming, Zuckerman’s Farm, Sunny Cal Farm, Chavez Farms, Gama Farm, Lim’s Apple Farm, Hillside Farm, Grow Somethin’ Wild, Buma Farm and The Fat Plant Man. Hot foods include Chef Rad, Gourmet Crepes, Wink’s Lobster Roll, Mama Sui’s, Wajin’s Mediterranean Food, Salsa Anytime, Pizza Stix and Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales. Specialty foods include Ann’s Bakery, Sola Foods, The Fresh Dip, Gourmet Cobbler, Aris Food, Bread Creations, Healthy Butter and Rose Park Bakery.

Lowenthal and Ostendorf have wanted to open a second market in the Second District for more than a year, but the idea of adding a second day at Bixby Park only came recently, when Ostendorf’s Saturday market in Huntington Beach became too expensive to operate on a private parking lot, according to a city statement.

“Since a great majority of residents walk or ride their bike to the market, Ostendorf believes parking will not be a problem,” the statement read. “In addition, more than 400 parking spaces will be available once again in the Junipero Beach lot as the new pedestrian beach path is completed.”