The Ellijay Farmers and Artisans Market will kick off its 2024 season this Saturday. It will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each Saturday May 4-Sept. 28.
The market, which is now presented under the umbrella of new community/business organization Engage in Gilmer, will be in the same location it’s been the past several years, the county courthouse parking lot on Broad Street, noted Jessica Tibbetts, market manager.
“It’s right behind the Downtown Welcome Center across from the courthouse. The market is all in the parking lot, so there is unfettered access on Broad Street. You can drive right up and park,” Tibbetts said.
Fresh produce, handbaked goodies and handmade arts and crafts are among what will be offered by market vendors. Tibbetts said the size and scope of the market, which was started in 2014, has grown steadily over the years. The amount of craft vendors has also expanded since the artisans component was added to its name a few years back.
“Everything is made or grown by the person selling it. We really run the gamut of what we have,” she added.
“We have core vendors who are there the whole season and some who rotate in and out based on what they have to sell. (That includes) a lot of local crafters and our core farmers. There’s something new every week. I started vending about 12 years ago, and we had maybe 10-12 vendors. Now we’ve got around 75 vendors signed up, which is about the same as last year.”
As for what produce to expect when the market first opens, Tibbetts said that normally includes cool weather greens like collards, but will expand to include summer crops as the season progresses.
“The great thing is that a lot of the farmers who come also have vegetable starts, so you’ll be able to buy your potato starts or starts for whichever annual vegetables you want to grow,” she added.
Tibbetts said the market also features a rotating lineup of live music each season. Updates on scheduled performers and vendors can be found on Facebook at Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market.
The market’s Christmas in July special event will also return this summer, Tibbetts confirmed.
“It’s become a very popular thing. Our vendors dress up the market for Christmas and, (at past events), we’ve had market minstrels and a visit from Santa,” she said.