Mill Town Farmers Market Open for 2025 Season

Canton --  The fifth season of the Mill Town Farmers Market has returned and runs every Thursday through October 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., and will feature over two dozen merchants.

In order to provide a fun early evening event, the market has been open for the season from 4 to 7 p.m. since 2021. It has food trucks, live local music, children's programs, food and craft sellers, and special events. Families were drawn to the neighboring splash pad once the market relocated to Sorrells Street Park in 2023.

This year's market has 30 confirmed vendors, including food trucks, plenty of chances for day traders to join during the season, and several returning established vendors. Crafts, soaps, artwork, fresh flowers, meat, eggs, baked goods, mushrooms, wood items, and lemonade will be available alongside seasonal vegetables and value-added agricultural products.

 In an early May meeting, Board President Aimee Sylvester informed vendors that supporting the market is a way to assist local entrepreneurs, as all products sold must be grown or produced in Haywood or a nearby county, according to market bylaws. "The market is more than just a place to buy tomatoes or soap," Sylvester stated.  "Our goal is to help people eat and live well while preserving farmland and promoting sustainable communities by supporting local farmers and businesses.  We want to be a location where everyone feels welcome, neighbors congregate, and strangers become friends."

In addition to monthly themes like Back to School, The Great Outdoors, and Celebrating Veterans, there will be a number of unique activities scheduled this season, including strawberry and cream day, a local dog contest, tomato sandwich day, and grilled corn day.  Every week, exclusive music will be featured.

According to Sylvester, the Mill Town Farmers Market soon outgrew its original location on Main Street, near the Smathers law offices.  There was more space to increase the number of vendors and customers with the move to Sorrells Street Park, which was farther down the street.

In an effort to boost the market, vendors will be offering "mystery bags" on the opening day, so there will be lots of fun at the market this season. This year, a brand-new initiative dubbed "Market Bucks" will be offered to companies and other stakeholders in $5 increments to entice new market visitors.  Those who get the "bucks" can spend them with market merchants, who will get paid by the market for the goods they sell.

"The market brings the best of Canton's rich agricultural and craft history together with our small businesses, nonprofits, and YOU," says Heather Bauer, manager of the Mill Town Farmers Market.  This is YOUR market, regardless of whether you are just stopping by the park to pick up necessities or intend to stay for a while.  Let's make this season the greatest one yet."  Visit milltownfarmersmarket.com to learn more about our expanding market.

WNCTimes

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