Kilmarnock Farmers Market. Photo courtesy of River Realm.
If it’s Saturday morning between April and autumn, there’s a good chance a farmers market is close. For many reasons, it’s worth the effort to find one.
“Raising the market” has a literal meaning for these outdoor markets. Starting shortly after dawn, early shoppers can watch the remarkable transition that takes place as a grassy field or a tree-lined path gives way to a true pop-up mall filled with white tents accented by the occasional brightly colored canopy. Weekend entrepreneurs set up their EZ-Up tents hoping the displays will result in sales.
By the opening hour, most vehicles are gone, and walls and tables and baskets are properly decorated, covered, or filled as sellers await buyers. Traditional farmers markets keep the traditional focus, selling plants, flowers, and food. Bunches of cut flowers and an assortment of plants for home, landscape, or garden add their shapes and colors to the market scene. Buyers will find bushels of ripe produce—tomatoes and onions, cabbages and peppers, peaches and apples, the availability dependent on the season. Shoppers may also find cheese or yogurt, seafood and meats, including a surprise for many, bison.
In addition to the fresh foods, a traditional market often sells preserved items like jams, sauces, pickles and much more. Honey is a must. Bakery tents may be a first stop for the scones, bread varieties, muffins and ethnic specialties. Not every item is found at every market—that’s part of the fun of a market search. Keeping track of what’s sold where gives shoppers the reason to plan a return to a weekly or monthly market.
Many communities include other categories in their offerings so artists, artisans, and crafters are able to show their wares. The mix is varied, from original paintings and photographs to stained glass panels, fabric art, decorative metal, ceramics, children’s clothing, and woodwork from toys to furniture. Outdoor décor includes metal sculpture, garden art, and unique birdhouses. Jewelry booths are typically crowded all day—a person can always use a special addition, and the markets are the ideal place to show one-of-a-kind pieces. Soaps, candles and health products may also be found. Some markets host a couple of alpacas—an immediate hit with the children, with the products made from their warm wool a longer-lasting hit with everyone.
Information booths are also popular. Visitors can get tips on gardening, birding, oyster-growing, house-raising, or land-conserving. Animal rescue groups may be represented, at least one of which assigns volunteers to stroll around the market with hopeful canine adoptees, thereby providing maximum exposure. Cats and kittens wait at the booth for potential adopters.
An individual market may focus on a particular theme, perhaps based on the time of year (think Halloween) or perhaps an idea (think plein-art painting). Wine and beer vendors may be on site for tastings and sales, but they are located in a separated section of the market. A dog parade might be part of a special market, but even without that designation, observers at any market may be entertained by the informal parade of dogs walking their owners, definitely a meet-and-greet for owners and pets.
Live music contributes to the market atmosphere, from folk and gospel to bluegrass, country, oldies and sometimes requests. The music often prompts a few children to dance, bringing smiles to the adults nearby. Everywhere in the market, friends find each other and catch up on the rest of the neighborhood. Depending on the market, food booths may provide breakfast or lunch sandwiches, snack specialties, drinks, or smoothies.
It’s impossible to predict exactly what will be found at a specific market. Some vendors change, and even the same vendor may bring different items to sell. Some days, an adjacent field may be filled with a surprise exhibit of beautifully maintained antique cars, whose owners are happy to discuss all things automotive.
Good food, good music, good shopping, good company. Enough reasons to set Saturday mornings aside, find a farmers market, and adopt a good summertime habit.
Photo courtesy of River Realm.
DELTAVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
On the grounds of the Deltaville Maritime Museum, the Holly Point Farmers Market has the perfect setting to show and sell local produce, meats, honey and more alongside a variety of artwork and crafts. Tents are set up along a tree-lined path to the waterside dock, where visitors can view the museum’s antique boats.
When and where: 9 to 1, fourth Saturday of each month, June through September. Special markets in May and November. Deltaville Maritime Museum/Holly Point Nature Park, 287 Jackson Creek Road, Deltaville. Contact: www.deltavillemuseum.com, 804-776-7200.
Photo courtesy of the RHHT Foundation.
HEATHSVILLE, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Heathsville’s market is sponsored by the nonprofit historical landmark, Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern. Every market has a theme: April’s includes an Earth Day celebration, a Wine/Brew/Spirits Tasting Festival, and the Tavern Quilt Guild’s annual show and sale. May’s theme is “Going to the Dogs.” See future themes on the website.
Time and place: 9 to 1, third Saturday of the month, April through October, behind the old Northumberland Courthouse just off Route 360 in Heathsville. Contact: ww.RHHTFoundation.org, 804-580-3377.
Photo courtesy of River Realm.
IRVINGTON, LANCASTER COUNTY
With space for over 100 vendors, the Irvington Farmers Market shows a something-for-everyone selection of arts and crafts alongside its farm products. Buyers will find local seafood, meats, cheeses, and homemade breads and bakery. The market was voted the Best Farmers Market on Virginia’s East Coast by Virginia Living Magazine two years in a row.
Time and place: 9 to 1, first Saturday of each month, May through November, at Irvington Commons, 98 King Carter Drive. Contact: www.town.irvington.va.us, 804-480-0697.
KILMARNOCK, LANCASTER COUNTY
Kilmarnock’s market is a traditional farm to table and bay to table market, a place where fresh items from farms and bay are available for the community by the community. It’s a harvester/producer only market, so sellers must grow, raise, harvest (for wild-caught seafood) or make the products they are selling.
When and where: 9 to 1, fourth Saturday of each month, May through October, at Town Centre Park in Kilmarnock, 150 N. Main Street. Contact: www.kilmarnockva.com, 804-435-1552.
Photo courtesy of Tappahannock Farmers Market.
TAPPAHANNOCK, ESSEX COUNTY
At the Tappahannock Farmers Market, shoppers will find plants, cut flowers and a variety of fresh local foods—meats and seafood, seasonal produce, cheeses, baked goods and more. Art and craft tents are joined by information booths, including one for the Tappahannock/Essex County animal shelter, which brings adoptable dogs and cats.
When and where: 9 to 1, third Saturday of each month, April through November in historic downtown Tappahannock. Contact: www.tappahannockmarket.com, 804-443-4945.
Photo courtesy of River Realm.
URBANNA, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Famous for its November Oyster Festival, Urbanna has much more to offer all summer. The Urbanna Farmers Market is held at Taber Park. Artists and crafters join food sellers for a varied market selection, and music sets the background mood. After the market, children may enjoy a dip in the park’s swimming pool.
When and where: 9 to 1, second Saturday of each month, May through September, at Tabor Park, corner of Rappahannock Avenue and Bonner Street. Contact: www.urbanna.com/farmersmarket, 804-832-3113.
Photo courtesy of Williamsburg Farmers Market.
WILLIAMSBURG
The stated mission of the Williamsburg Farmers Market is to sustain, foster, and operate a weekly farmers market for growers and producers to sell fresh seasonal food and farm products direct to consumers in Williamsburg. A partial list of items sold includes produce, seafood, cut flowers, organic vegetables, baked goods, honey, and eggs.
When and where: 8 to 12, every Saturday, April through October, in Merchant’s Square between Boundary and Henry Streets. Contact: www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com, 757-259-3768.
Photo courtesy of York County.
YORKTOWN, YORK COUNTY
With its waterfront location at Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown Market Days offers a spectacular view of the York River, with live music, food trucks, cooking demos, a variety of food vendors, plus work from local artists. Shoppers will find seasonal produce, fresh seafood, meats, breads, honey, handmade soaps and candles, even gourmet dog treats.
When and where: 8 to 12, every Saturday April 13 to October 26 (except May 4 and October 5) with special markets later in the year, at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown. Contact: www.visityorktown.org, 757-890-3500.
KING GEORGE, KING GEORGE COUNTY
The King George Farmers Market stated mission is “to support county producers by opening and expanding markets for their wares, and to advance understanding, education, and cooperation between producers and the community...” Only producers from King George or Westmoreland Counties may sell at the market.
When and where: 8 to 12, every Saturday, April through October, at King George Middle School, corner of Route 3 and Route 206. Contact: www.thefarmersmarket.co/king-george-farmers-market.com.
MATHEWS, MATHEWS COUNTY
The Mathews Farmers Market motto is “Make it, Bake it, or Grow it.” With that in mind, shoppers can expect a seasonal array of fruits and vegetables, with organic produce a specialty. Native plants, baked goods, and handcrafted gifts are also on display. At some markets, there may also be a gardening demonstration or other special event.
When and where: 9 to 1, every Saturday, April 6 to October 26 (except September 14, for Mathews Market Days) at the Historic Courthouse Green in Mathews. Contact: www.mathewsmainstreet.org.