It appears that spring is really here.

The St. Paul Farmers’ Market has announced it will open its outdoor Lowertown location April 27. It will remain open weekends through Nov. 24.

On opening day, the market will welcome customers with free coffee from 7 to 8 a.m. Market hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

The market is adding something new and exciting for lovers of fine food, too. Chef/restaurateur and market collaborator Tim McKee, who owns Market House Collaborative across the street, will organize something they’re calling “chef pairings,” in which two chefs who don’t normally work together will team up to prepare dishes using market produce, and they’ll sell them at the market.

In addition to the weekend Lowertown location, the St. Paul Farmers’ Market operates neighborhood markets in Roseville, Rosemount, Andover, Maplewood, Lakeville, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Woodbury, Savage and Inver Grove Heights. There are also weekday markets at Securian, Seventh Place and St. Thomas More in St. Paul.

The neighborhood markets will open in May and June and will operate into the fall. A Union Depot location will open in the fall. For a complete schedule and locations, go to stpaulfarmersmarket.com/index.php/locations.