By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com
Happy faces filled the crowd on Saturday morning as friends and neighbors showed up to shop the opening day of the Watauga County Farmers’ Market at Horn in the West.
Growers and artisans offered up fresh food products, flowers, plants and so much more as shoppers enjoyed a beautiful Spring morning and catching up with the community.
Over breakfast and browsing, folks in the crowd were treated to live music by Andy Page and the Swing Guitars, as well as to the sounds of Marshall Daniels on the handpan and dulcimer.
More than 60 local vendors were on hand, and many agreed they were happy to see large numbers of shoppers on the season’s first day.
Amy Fiedler and the crew from Springhouse Farm were among those who shared the sentiment.
“I thought it was a great turnout for opening day. We were really pleased and we saw a lot of old friends and customers. Overall, from everyone, I heard it was a really good day,” said Fiedler,
Springhouse Farm offered certified organic farm-fresh vegetables like spinach, lettuce and carrots, as well as samples of its breakfast sausage and a selection of pork products that included nitrate free hot dogs and bacon. Shoppers could also pick up starter vegetables and plants from Springhouse.
“Last year we built a greenhouse,” Fiedler said. “This is the first year that we are certified organic, and our vegetable starts help other gardeners. What we sell has actually been grown on the farm before, so if we’re selling it it has been proven to grow well here in the High Country.”
Susan Wright of Shady Grove Gardens offered beautiful spring flowers, vegetables and great gifts for Mom just in time for Mother’s Day.
“We had a really good crowd and good weather, so that always makes it really fun for us,” said Wright, who’s been bringing Shady Grove to the farmers’ market for more than a decade.
Shady Grove featured vase and mason jar arrangements for Moms, tulips, anemones, a variety of perennial plants and transplants for the garden including squash, cucumber and tomatoes.
“We like the sense of community,” said Wright. “The farmers’ market allows us to connect with customers we wouldn’t otherwise get to know.”
If you missed opening day, don’t worry! Catch the market when it’s back in town next week.
The Watauga County Farmers’ Market will operate for the remainder of the season on Saturday mornings at Horn in the West from 8 a.m. to noon through October and from 9 a.m. to noon in November.
To learn more about the market and get to know participating vendors, call 828-355-4918 or visit wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org.
See you next week!
In the meantime, check out our photos from opening day. All photos by Ken Ketchie.
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