by Martha Rose Woodward
Visitors are proving that “if you build it, they will go” and they will park and walk to attend the Market Square Farmers’ Market held in Downtown Knoxville.
The market is open Wednesdays from 11a.m. to 2p.m. and Saturdays from 9a.m. to 2p.m., from May 2- November 17, 2012 right in the middle of downtown Knoxville on historic Market Square.
2012 marks the 9th season for the market that has seen steady growth.
Shoppers can find just about anything and products vary by the seasons. There is a variety of fresh produce such as tomatoes, onions, squash, peppers, melons, beans and, eggs, honey, herbs, free-range meat, bread, baked goods, salsas, coffee and more. There is also booth after book of artisan crafts including jewelry, hats, dresses, birdhouses, toys and house wares.
Cooling off in the interactive fountains near Crutch Park is a barrel of fun for the kids, too. Round the day off with a big cone of ice cream and you are set.
The Market Square Farmers’ Market is an open-air farmers’ market. Everything at the MSFM is grown or made by the vendor in the East Tennessee region. On Saturdays free parking is available in the Market Square, Locust St. and State St. Garages, and at meters. Parking is $1 per hour on Wednesdays in all three garages.
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor may apply on-line at www.http://marketsquarefarmersmarket.org/be-a-vendor/ There is a annual membership fee of $25 and a weekly fee of $5 for each 10’x10’ space rented. The 4 categories for vendors include Farm Products; Art; Prepared Foods; and Non-profit. Visit
