Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Opens for the Season Saturday

Good Eats, Gorgeous Plants, Great Crafts Coming Your Way

Watauga County Farmers’ Market will open for its 33rd season this Saturday, May 5. All of the vendors have been busy planning for an especially fine market this year and are all looking forward to seeing their old friends and making new ones. The market will be at the Horn in the West parking lot in Boone, Saturday mornings through the end of October, rain or shine.

Look for a good selection of fresh local vegetables for opening day. Watauga River Farms hopes to have baby garlic, spring onions and broccoli. Shelton Lindau and Carol Miller will have plenty of salad greens; Shelton will also have nice spring violas while Carol will bring all the usual suspects for opening: jam, herbal jellies, vinegars, baked goods, granola, baking mixes and peanut butter.

Richard Boylan should be very popular this weekend with gourmet Asian pea tendrils for salads and stir fry, as well as a nice supply of fresh local asparagus.

New to the market this year is Jason Brooks, who will have Watauga County beef for sale. Liza Plaster will return with her fresh goat cheese.

Also be sure to check out the selection of home-baked foods to eat on the spot or to enjoy later. Joan Knox and Bryan Selby will bring fresh breads and other treats, and Rebecca Kaenzig will have coffee, juices and cookies, as well as some new little individual-size cakes. Yum!

Gardeners can choose from plenty of healthy ornamental and vegetable plants. Alicia Breton has lilacs and bedding plants ready to grow and bloom. Andy Bryant has a good variety of vegetable starts on hand, and Reba Greene will have garden plants along with a good supply of squirrel corn.

Don’t forget the great lineup of crafts for opening day. Selections include nature photography and note cards by Annlynn Ward, gourds and woodworking by Kim Miller, painted wood and gourds by Mary Prewett and a great selection of jewelry made by April Graham, Karl Doege, Katy Wilson and The Rocky Fellows.

Head to the Horn this Saturday to support local businesses and join in the fun.