Spots are filling up fast for the inaugural year of the Downtown Elizabethton Farmer’s Market.
With the opening day of the market just a little over a month out — May 23 — the market is hosting a vendors’ information session on Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. inside the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library. The meeting is free and open to the public wanting to learn more about the market and the vendor opportunities that are available
Since City Council OK’ed the market to take place on F Street in the parking lot of First Christian Church — across the road from the Elizabethton Police Department — excitement has continued to generate, according to Farmer’s Market Manager Donica Krebs.
“The excitement has been buzzing,” Krebs told the Elizabethton Star. “Vendors are raring to get the season started, and the public has shown a lot of support. We have more volunteers than we know what to do with. It seems like everyone wants to help make this a success. Our Facebook page is very popular and we have gotten tons of good feedback through that avenue. We also recently appeared on WBEJ Radio to announce the opening of the DEFM.”
Currently, the market has 15 confirmed vendors and the spots are filling up quick.
“We will have to cap it at around 20 vendors,” Krebs said. “The spots are filling quickly so we encourage potential vendors to apply as soon as possible. Recently, the (DEFM Board) decided to lower our prices even further. We are down to $4 for the daily booth fee and $75 for the seasonal fee.”
The market will kick off May 23 and last until October 31. Patrons will be able to take advantage of the market from 5-8 p.m. each Tuesday. Vendors are encouraged to be at their location at 4 p.m. to allow enough time to set up before the inflow of foot traffic.
Saturday will be jammed packed of information for those looking to get involved with the market, the manager said.
“Our informative session will be partially to answer questions that potential vendors may have about their participation in the market, and partially to answer any questions the public may have about the vision of the market, how we operate and other items,” Krebs added. “We will tour the market location to give the attendees of the meeting an idea of how the market will be set up.”
Along with various vendors, the DEFM will have entertainment for patrons. Blue River Studio, located in Historic Downtown Elizabethton, is coordinating all the entertainment for DEFM.
“Sign-ups are open to the public,” Krebs said. “We are looking for musicians, buskers, storytellers and whoever else may want to volunteer their artistic talents. All performers are welcomed to sell their albums, put out a tip jar, promote their bands or theaters all free of charge.”
A tent will also be provided but for musicians — the market is asking for acoustic only with electricity not guaranteed.
Krebs added that anybody looking to perform during the market can visit Blue River Studio during the store hours, email blueriverstudiollc@gmail.com or call (423) 213-5060.
For more information about the DEFM or to become a vendor, visit uwayecc.org/defm or visit the Downtown Elizabethton Farmer’s Market Facebook page online.