Mill Town Farmers Market
Canton’s farmers market is in its fifth season. Donated photo
More than two dozen vendors will take part in the fifth season of the Mill Town Farmers Market, which opens Thursday, May 15, and continues every Thursday through Oct. 30.
Since its inception in 2021, the market is held from 4-7 p.m., with food and craft vendors, live local music, children’s programming, special events and food trucks on the scene to create an enjoyable early evening event.
After the market moved to Sorrells Street Park in 2023, the nearby splash pad provided yet another attraction for families.
There are 30 confirmed vendors for this year’s market, with many established vendors returning for another season, food trucks and ample opportunities for day vendors to join through the season.
In addition to seasonal vegetables and value-added agricultural products, there will be crafts, soaps, arts, fresh flowers, beef, eggs, baked goods, mushrooms, wood products and lemonade.
Market guidelines stipulate that all items sold must be grown or produced in Haywood or a nearby county, so supporting the market is a way to support local entrepreneurs, Board President Aimee Sylvester told vendors in an early May meeting.
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“The market is more than just a place to buy tomatoes or soap,” Sylvester said. “We’re here to support local farms and businesses and help people eat and live better while protecting farmland and backing sustainable communities. We want to be a place where neighbors gather, strangers become friends, and everyone feels welcome.”
This season, a variety of special events such as strawberries and cream day, a local dog contest, tomato sandwich day or grilled corn day are planned, and there will be monthly themes such as Celebrating Veterans, The Great Outdoors or Back to School to name a few. Special music will be featured weekly.
The Mill Town Farmers Market started out on Main Street behind the Smathers law offices but quickly outgrew the space, said Sylvester. After moving to Sorrells Street Park further down the street, there was more room to grow both vendor numbers and shoppers.
This season will feature plenty of fun at the market, with vendor “mystery bags” offered on the opening day as a way to support the market.
New this year will be a promotional program called “Market Bucks” that will be distributed to businesses and others in $5 increments to encourage new shoppers at the market.
Those receiving the “bucks” will be able to spend them with market vendors who will be reimbursed by the market for items purchased.
Mill Town Farmers Market Manager Heather Bauer adds that “the market brings the best of Canton’s rich agricultural and craft history together with our small businesses, nonprofits and you. Whether you swing by the park for your essentials or plan to stay a while, this is your market. Let’s make it the best season yet.”
For more about our growing market, visit milltownfarmersmarket.com.
