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Jonesborough Farmers Market Grand Opening
Jonesborough Farmers Market will kick off its 10th season
On Saturday, May 6th, the Jonesborough Farmers Market will kick off its 10th season on Courthouse Square in historic downtown Jonesborough from 8 a.m. until noon.
The market offers fresh eggs, beef, chicken, pork, goat cheese, baked goods, produce (both traditional and chemical free), ready-to-eat foods, plants, pet treats, and select garden and kitchen-related crafts. The Jonesborough Farmers Market was founded in 2008 as the areas first producer-only market, and it is still required that all items at the market are locally grown or made, and sold directly by the producer.
“This year we are welcoming a great selection of vendors,” Market Coordinator, Erin Giebner, said. “Several vendors have been with us all ten years, some are brand new. Together they will offer an impressive variety of locally-produced foods.”
Many features are planned for this year’s market. “On May 6 we will debut our breakfast food court,” Giebner said. “We will be adding additional seating space and offering a variety of breakfast options. Dona Eva Becerra, known for her authentic tamales, will be offering breakfast burritos. Pat Lynch of Farmhouse Gallery will have baked goods, DNA catering will be creating two fresh breakfast offerings each week, one sweet and one savory, and each featuring one or more ingredients from the market. The Corner Cup will be set up with their fresh-brewed, local-blend coffee and other drinks right at the market.
Other activities this year include a weekly 5K training run that is coordinated with Jonesborough Parks & Recreation. Called the “Free Range Runners,” any interested runners can meet at the market information booth at 8:30am each Saturday for a free fun-run along either a 1-mile or a 3-mile course. In September, a timed 5K will be offered along the route. The first run will be May 6th.
Activities for children have always been popular at the market, and this year they will be available every week. These activities are possible through gracious partnerships with the numerous volunteers and organizations. The McKinney Center will host a seed planting activity on May 6th in the kid’s tent.
Since the first season, weekly live music has been a popular attraction at the market. Music starts at 9am each week and the opening market will feature The Bluebirds, Ryan and Amy Bernard, performing “Country tunes for your back porch pleasure.”
Other new features will begin later in the summer. They include chef demonstrations, “Healthy Eating Tours” of the market to provide customers with a guided tour to meet farmers and learn about how to use fresh produce in a healthy diet, “Go Fetch Run” activities for dog owners and their pets, and Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Rooted in Appalachia Roadshow which will bring their special events to the market to highlight local food on June 17.
Giebner is excited about these many new features, but emphasized that they are only possible due to the volunteer team that runs the market. Geibner shares her duties as market coordinator with Kari Simmons, both Americorps Service Members working with Jonesborough Locally Grown (JLG), the non-profit agency that coordinates the farmers market and Boone Street Market. A large team of volunteers also lend a hand each week to help the market run smoothly.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the market may contact Erin Giebner, Market Coordinator, at jbofarmersmarket@gmail.com or call 423-752-4722
For more information and to sign up for the market e-newsletter, visit www.jonesborough.locallygrown.net
