After a busy inaugural year, excitement continues to grow for a second round of downtown fun.

Officials with the Downtown Elizabethton Farmer’s Market (DEFM) Board recently announced via social media that the 2018 applications are now available.

A new addition to this year’s market, according to officials, is the ability to host a limited amount of artisan and craft vendors.

“Know anyone in the area that grows produce? Do you have a neighbor that is constantly giving you veggies because they grew too much? Send them our way! You don’t have to be a big-time farmer to participate in our market,” the DEFM announced on their Instagram page.

Applications for the market can be picked at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce.

The inaugural year of the market — located on F Street in the parking lot of First Christian Church just across from the Elizabethton Police Department — averaged between 150 to 450 vendors and oftentimes saw vendor space maxed out, according to market manager Donica Krebs.

“It would be great to also have a few more USDA licensed meat vendors,” Krebs said Tuesday. “Applicants for a craft booth should send in a detailed description and photo of their craft, along with their application.

Krebs added the one item they’re looking to stress is that submitting an application does not automatically mean a vendor is part of the market.

“We send a letter of acceptance to all approved vendors,” she said.

Promoting healthier food choices for the public and encouraging local entrepreneurship is part of the process for Krebs and the rest of the board. Krebs and her husband, Caleb, know all too well the benefits of home-grown produce thanks to their farm and Airbnb, Elysium Farm.

But the promotion of healthier choices continues to be a goal countywide due to Grow Carter County.

DEFM is just one of the different organizations aligned with the grassroots effort to help achieve a statewide designation as a “Tennessee Healthier Community.”

Along with promoting local farmers, the market also doubles as an event space for aspiring performers.

Spearheaded by Blue River Studio, entertainment at the market ranges from musicians to storytellers and anything else in between.

Along with the entertainment, each day the market focuses on spotlighting a different organization from the community.

“It would be great to have my community involvement planned before the start of next year,” Krebs recently told the Elizabethton Star. “Since we know it’s going well, we hope to see more people get involved in the early stages. We also want to incorporate more events next year. Seasonal events like a blueberry festival or tomato festival would be fantastic. We also want to thank the city for providing us with electricity … that was a great help for us.”

For more information about the market or the applications, visit the Downtown Elizabethton Farmer’s Market Facebook page. Updates can also be obtained via email at defarmersmarket@gmail.com or visit the Downtown Elizabethton Farm Mkt Instagram account.