photo credit: Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Picnic tables line the courtyard of Mexican Village at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, where Mercado Rosa will take place.

Think of a Sunday market in Latin America, where the smell of pupusas mixes with colorful crafts and lively music. This weekend, you won’t have to travel far to find a scene like that.

Mercado Rosa is coming to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

Hector Velazquez, executive director of the Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said the mercado gives Latino small‑business owners a place to sell directly to customers, and gives the public a chance to step into a cultural space without ever leaving the county.

"Mercado Rosa is open to everybody," Velazquez said. "Everyone's welcome and anyone who likes this type of culture, who wants to feel this type of culture and if they've never been and want to understand it, we got it here in our backyard now."

He said vendors are overwhelmingly excited, not just for the chance to reach new customers, but for the support behind the scenes.

"It’s not just about giving a platform," Velazquez said. "It’s about giving the tools and resources so they can have all their permits in line."

The mercado will be open to the public this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And Velasquez said this is only the beginning. he said there will be many more Sunday mercados in Sonoma County’s future.