Fayetteville Farmers’ Market 50th Anniversary celebration set for Saturday

One of 39 photos taken at the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market in 1974 by photographer Art Meripol ( Photo: Art Meripol)

A Fayetteville tradition is turning 50 this year.

The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an event featuring cooking demos, a photography exhibition, treats from market bakers, and other festivities on Saturday, June 17.

The market opens at 7 a.m. that morning, with a photography exhibition featuring images of the market from the 1970s by photographer Art Meripol opening at 8 a.m. The exhibit is on loan to the market this weekend from local gallery, Art Ventures.

A cooking demo by Heather Artripe from Ozark Natural Foods will begin at 10 a.m., and the event will culminate with a ceremony at 11 a.m. including treats and remakrs by Marcella Thompson, one of the founders of the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market.

The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Also coming up, the market will also host their annual Kids Day event on Tuesday, June 20 featuring a host of free activities for children, including an observational bee hive, music, wool spinning, a scavenger hunt, and more. Kids will also receive $5 in kid bucks to spend with market vendors.

The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market is open 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays from April through November on the Fayetteville Square. A Tuesday market is also open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. from May-September.

For a bit more information, visit fayettevillefarmersmarket.org.