The Gatlinburg Farmers Market will soon be a reality thanks to the work of those people and the cooperation of city leaders and businesses.
Vesna Plakanis, the group’s marketing and promotion manager, said plans are finally coming to fruition, with the farmers market set to open May 22 and run through Nov. 20 to take advantage of the fall harvest. The market will be held every Saturday from 8-11:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Alamo restaurant on Highway 321.
The market is open to vendors of homegrown or homemade products in Sevier and Cocke counties, Plakanis said. In an effort to ensure the products are actually coming from local gardens, Plakanis said farmers applying tobe vendors will be subject to a list of requirements, plus a visit by members of the committee so they can confirm the products are produced locally and not shipped in or purchased elsewhere.
The market already has about six vendors signed up for when the market opens in May. More vendors may apply for space at the market. There is a minimal fee to set up a booth.
City leaders worked with the group to avoid any legal issues. Local ordinances prevent the running of flea markets, which is not what the farmers market will be.
“We want this to be a classy experience and not just throw something together,” Plakanis said.
“It will be completely different than a flea market,” said Megan Jones, president and secretary of the group. “The farmers market will concentrate on edibles, no arts or crafts.”
Jones said they would like the farmers market to complement the Arts & Crafts Community.
“We’re not going to have crafts because we have a beautiful arts and crafts community,” she said. “As a whole, we’ll try to send people out there after the farmers market, just sort educating people to what’s out there and really trying to work with local business.”
Being so close to the Arts & Crafts Community, Jones said a crafter may occasionally will be invited to give live a demonstration.
Along with locally grown produce, the market will offer local products such as jams, jellies and baked goods, as well as fresh-roasted coffee. She said they would welcome applications from a vendor offering locally grown flowers or even a local egg supplier.
Musical entertainment will be offered, Plakanis said, as will demonstrations by local chefs. The demonstrations will likely follow the growing seasons, she said, offering tips on how to work with products that are available at that time.
“We’re just trying to reflect the needs of the community and be a place where people can sell produce and buy things locally made and produced,” Jones said.
Plakanis said sponsorship opportunities are available at different levels, ranging from $100 to $500.
For more information about the farmers market, call Jones at 654-4615 or Plakanis at 659-0690 or visit Gatlinburg Farmers Market . The calendar includes a map, calendar, links to supporting sites as well as gardening tips and recipes. You can also join the Gatlinburg Farmers Market group on Facebook.
Gatlinburg Farmers Market
- Open: May 22-Nov. 20
- Where: The Alamo parking lot, Gatlinburg
- Info: 654-4615, 659-0690
- Web site:Gatlinburg Farmers Market
This active community participation is what this area needs more than anything else- and it is only the beginning.