Easley Farmers Market Season Begins Saturday

The Easley Farmers Market kicks off its 2013 season Saturday.

The market, held every Saturday in front of Easley City Hall, opens at 8am and will run until noon, according to Farmers Market Manager Lisa Garrett.

Those 8am – 12pm hours will be consistent throughout the market's season, which concludes the first Saturday in October.

When she spoke to Patch Thursday afternoon, Garrett said she had more than 20 vendors lined up for Saturday's market, with room for more.

Products available at the market Saturday include mushrooms, local honey, cool weather crops and plants, vegetable plants including tomato plants, tropical plants, hot sauces, smoothies, homemade dog treats and more.

“We have several new vendors with baked good type things,” Garrett said. “One lady is going to do muffins, caramel corn, brittle and assorted candies. Another lady is going to do biscotti and scones. Elaine, our regular home baker, will have breads, cakes, pies, muffins, things like that.”

The Starving Artist Cafe will be selling breakfast foods at the market.

The market features crafters the first Saturday of the month, Garrett said.

Examples of crafts available at the market Saturday include picnic tables and swings, cornhole games, and woodworking items including bowls and rolling pins.

On June 4, the Easley Farmers Market will begin open on Tuesdays, from 5pm – 8pm. The Tuesday market will run through August 27.

“I'm excited about the Tuesday market,” Garrett said. “I'm hoping we get those people who have to work on Saturdays, so they'll have the opportunity to come to an evening market, and maybe catch people on their way home from work.”

Garrett is looking for vendors who sell meat or poultry. The market also needs a new egg vendor.

“I'm always open to new vendors,” she said.

Vendor information can be found on the Easley Farmers Market website

Strawberry lovers will have to be patient. The cold snap has delayed the crop.

“It'll either be the 20^th or 27^th before the strawberries get here,” Garrett said.

Garrett has several special events planned for the market, with more to come.

On April 27, The Sunshine Boys will perform at the market.

“On July 6, we're going to have the pie-baking contest again,” Garrett said. “Sometime in September we'll have the chili cook-off, probably September 21, Clemson has an open day that day.”

A special holiday market is in the works for November.

Those interested in performing at the market for “a small, minimal fee and tips,” should contact Garrett at Easley City Hall.

“We're also looking for chefs that want to do a cooking demonstration when vegetables start coming in,” Garrett said. “We also want to have a little something for the kids every week, whether it's planting something or a coloring book, we're going to try to have something for the kids.”