A popular farmers market held in downtown Ellijay spring to early fall will continue this year, but with some changes.
Among those changes will be the name of the seasonal market, as well as the leadership and sponsorship needed to make it happen, confirmed Chris Cleberg, market coordinator.
Since its inception, the farmers market has been led by Gilmer County Master Gardener volunteers, who operate out of the local UGA Extension Office. What started as a farmers market offering homegrown produce and homemade food items has since expanded to include more arts, crafts and other nonfood or produce vendors, Cleberg noted.
“There’s little produce, but we get what we can. We get as many farmers involved as we can. (We also welcome) local artists and crafters,” she added.
The market has also grown in size, making it difficult for volunteering Master Gardeners to continue presenting it, noted Cleberg, a former Gilmer Master Gardener herself.
“(For) older folks, it’s a lot of work,” she said.
The rebranded Ellijay Farmers and Artisans Market will open Saturday, May 7. It will be held Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., until Oct. 1.
The market usually opens at the end of April, so it won’t be starting that much later this year, Cleberg noted. “We’re trying to get all our ducks in a row,” she said.
It will be held in the same general area as before, but instead of being put up along Broad Street, the market will move to the neighboring Gilmer County Courthouse/Dalton State College parking lot.
The Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA), the Gilmer Chamber and Ellijay Coffeehouse will now team to sponsor the market, which was previously the Master Gardeners’ responsibility.
Market vendors are already being lined up, and, so far, there’s been good response, Cleberg confirmed. Vendors can still sign up in advance of the May 7 opening date.
“It’s still following the same (guidelines). Everything has to be locally grown or made,” Cleberg said. “We’ve got dozens of potential vendors set up, and we’re looking for more volunteers to help with the market.”
Cleberg said she teamed with fellow then-Master Gardener Lynn Robey to get the farmers market started in 2004. For a while, it looked like the market wouldn’t happen at all this year. With the transition to new leadership recently being ironed out, Cleberg is among many who are happy it will carry on.
“When I found out they weren’t going to have it anymore, I thought that can’t happen. We have to keep this going,” she said. “We’re also planning a Christmas Market in November like (has been done in) the past. We haven’t got that far yet, but we anticipate it happening.”
For more details about volunteering or vending at the Ellijay Farmers and Artisans Market, Cleberg can be reached at chriscleberg@gmail.com.