Robbinsville – Graham County Farmer’s Market and Crafts kicks off the new season on Saturday, and the question is – can you brave the Elements?
About 100 Honda Elements – a quirky, boxy four-seater car that Honda manufactured in the early 2000s – are using the Graham County Farmer’s Market as a staging area and starting point before they head out for a drive through Tail of the Dragon on Saturday. They will be on scene from 7-9 a.m.
Organizer Mary Griffin said she expects about 15 vendors for opening day, including fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts and more.
The Graham County Farmer’s Market runs from 8 a.m. – noon each Saturday, May 14 through Oct. 29, and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. from Nov. 5 through Nov. 19.
This is the first season post-COVID, and organizers are still ironing out details and filling in blanks for the rest of the year.
Events scheduled so far include Growing an Edible Garden sponsored by Taylor’s Greenhouse on May 21, Cookie Contest on June 11, Incorporating local food into meals and snacks on June 25, Heritage Festival on July 2, a fried zucchini straws tasting on July 16, building a vermicomposting bin on July 23, fresh summer salsa tasting on July 23, tomato tasting on Aug. 6, corn boil on Aug. 13, cucumber-basil dressing tasting on Aug. 20, strawberry limeade tasting on Aug. 27, Randy Collins and native pumpkins on Sept. 3, Robbinsville Craft Festival on Sept. 10, chili cook-off on Sept. 17, and veggie soup contest on Oct. 15.
Griffin said they are working to have live music during some Farmer’s Market Saturdays.
In 2021, Graham County Farmer’s Market and Crafts averaged 14 vendors per week, with a high of 24 vendors.
Organizers see the Farmer’s Market as a place where visitors can have breakfast in the morning, purchase a gift, and pick up groceries and produce for dinnertime.
Support for Graham County Farmer’s Market & Crafts comes from Graham County Travel & Tourism, Robbinsville Tourism Authority, Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT), Graham County Friends of the Library, the Farm Bureau, and Graham County Schools.