The Easton Farmer's Market is a Saturday Morning staple for many in our community.  Vendor Joan Nubie, of "Joan's Gems" shares with us what makes the Market so special to both vendors and patrons alike.  The Easton Farmer's Market is open each Saturday from 8:00am-1:00pm from April through December 20th.  Come meet up with your friends and neighbors this Saturday, November 1st!

Last Saturday, before the sun was up, several of us vendors were out early, setting up for the weekly Easton Farmers' Market.  Some of us had to wear headlamps to see what we were doing in the darkness.  We laughed and joked together about how we'll be able to set up in the morning light in about one more week after the Fall time change.  We are a friendly group of local farmers, crafters and artisans, and over the years we have become like family to each other. 

The Easton Farmers' Market has been going strong for over 30 years with some of the original farmers still in attendance.  Each year the Market runs every Saturday from April through December, and the hours are 8:00am to 1:00pm.  Since 2005, the Market has been part of the work of the Avalon Foundation. 

I, myself, have been participating for twelve years, selling my hand-crafted jewelry and wire art by Joan's Gems.  One of the popular items I sell are handmade bubble wands.  I have a bucket of bubble soap available for kids to try them out.  Many parents tell me it’s their first stop out of the car, and they thank me for having something for the kids to play with.  I have watched many kids grow up over the past 12 years and gotten to know many of them and their parents.  That's what makes the farmer's market so special; you get to build a relationship with your customers and the customers get to know the farmer who grows their fruits & vegetables or the artisan that handcrafts an item for them.  You can talk with any of the vendors and ask all kinds of questions about what they sell and find out about them, and why they love what they do!

The Easton Farmers' Market has been awarded Best Farmer's Market by What's Up Eastern Shore Magazine for a few years in a row.  I think that speaks for itself as to why the public enjoys what the Easton Farmers' Market has to offer.  Not only are there the farmers with locally grown fruits and vegetables, but there are a few livestock farmers with pork, beef, lamb and even bison meat.  There is honey, fresh cut flowers, irises, jam, homemade soup, pet treats, coffee, baked goods, homemade breads and pies, pickles, crab meat and sometimes Indian food!  Our artisans have leather goods and repair, handmade cutting boards and peppermills, handmade Windsor chairs, duck decoys, nature photography, handmade fish decoys and nautical photography, handmade soaps, handmade knives, and of course my jewelry and wire art too!  Soon there will be fresh Christmas greens and wreaths available!  It’s a great mix of things available to the customers, so I am sure that is what has won our “Best Farmer's Market” award for us.

I have also been the Facebook Administrator for the Easton Farmer's Market for 2 years.  I love to post pictures of the market and what it has to offer.  I get asked all the time, “what's available at the market?”, and one of the best ways to be in the know is to like our Facebook page.  There you can also find out who will be providing weekly musical entertainment featuring local musicians.  The music helps add to the atmosphere of the market as not just a stop on your Saturday errands list, but as a destination to come to with family or friends to enjoy the music, good food items available, browse the arts and crafts, and stock up on fruits and vegetables!  It a real community event too with so many friends and neighbors bumping into each other and chatting as they pass through.

The Easton Farmers' Market goes even further for the community as well.  There is a space provided for non-profit groups to attend and promote their causes.  Additionally,  each week, members from the Chesapeake Group Home come to the market to collect any extra vegetables that the farmers have left over at the end of the day.  Their group home provides services for disabled individuals, and our famers are so generous to donate so much each week.  Although the weather is starting to change the market will continue each Saturday until December 20th, and we sure hope to see you there!