It's the first full week in August and that means it is National Farmers Market Week!  We are excited to celebrate our own Watertown Farm & Craft Market as well as the other markets across the nation.  This week is dedicated to highlighting farmers markets and the impact they have on their local communities across the United States of America.  Each year we bring dozens of talented vendors together every Wednesday, for the benefit of our small businesses, local economy, and community.

Farmers markets support healthy communities. Since 1977, our market has become a hub for community in the Greater Watertown region.  Each year we directly connect farmers and crafters, as well as advocates of local non-profits, to market goers.  The Watertown Farm & Craft Market contributes to the North Country by providing a social environment that brings families, friends, and professionals to downtown Watertown every week.  Food trucks, live music, art, locally made products, and fresh produce all promote a friendly community-oriented atmosphere where market goers can enjoy what downtown Watertown has to offer.

We are thankful for our presenting market sponsor, Watertown Savings Bank, our presenting music sponsor, MVP Health Care®, and our supporting music sponsors, Foy Benefits, ABC50, and Rockin’ It for Bill, for their generous support of our market this season.

Meet Kayla Perry! She is the Director of Events at the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce and our Market Coordinator.  This talented young woman is responsible for delivering dozens of events throughout the year.  In addition to organizing and implementing networking opportunities, award presentations, and the Jefferson Leadership Institute, Kayla oversees your favorite seasonal market in the North Country. 

Our Watertown Farm and Craft Market is getting ready for another incredible season of bringing together our community in downtown Watertown, NY!  Since 1977, our market has become a hub for community.  We will bring dozens of talented vendors together every Wednesday from May 22nd - October 2nd, 2019, for the benefit of our local economy, food system, and community.  For over forty years, we have been connecting rule to urban and providing an opportunity for product sales. We truly believe that food that is produced, processed, distributed, and sold locally, has a strong impact.  This process leads to economic development that can yield job creation.

Each year, the Watertown Farm & Craft Market directly connects farmers and crafters to market-goers.  Beyond business benefits, our market contributes to the North Country by providing a social environment that brings families, friends, and professionals to downtown Watertown every week.  Food trucks, live music, art, locally made products and fresh produce all attract market-goers to come out to shop local, eat local, and enjoy what downtown. Watertown has to offer.

Last year our market saw a lot of positive change! We developed a new look, launched a new website, physically expanded the market, and so much more.  When we look back at the 2018 Season, we can't help but reflect on the growth we have recently experienced.  After witnessing the impact of these new changes, we couldn't be more excited to see what the 2019 Season has in store!

For over forty years, our market has been a destination for families, friends, and professionals to come out to shop local, eat local, and enjoy downtown Watertown.  We provide the opportunity for farmers and crafters, non-profit organizations, and even musicians, to connect directly with thousands of market-goers each year.  As vendors begin to submit their applications and we near Opening Day of the 2019 Season, we are eager for the start of our 42nd Season of the Watertown Farm and Craft Market.

Hey market-goers! Have you heard the buzz? Each year we give recognition to a vendor of the Watertown Farm & Craft Market at the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce's Annual Business of the Year Award Luncheon.  It is a prestigious recognition that identifies a vendor who has a creative display, a high level of engagement with their customers, and who has shown commitment to the market and to market goers. 

We are excited to announce that the 2018 Watertown Farm and Craft Vendor of the Year is Bender Busy Bee Honey!

Bender Busy Bee Honey has a variety of honey made products to choose from! Owners, Duane & Linda Bender, strive to provide pure, unfiltered, raw Honey, Beeswax Candles, Creamed Honey and Honeycomb.

The couple began their journey in 2012 when they started a Bee Farm.  They produce Honey from Bees that have been raised with no outside chemicals being added to the hives.  Since then, they have expanded their product line to provide Creamed Honey, Creamed Honey with Cinnamon, Beeswax Candles, Honeycomb and Propolis, Lip Balms in 15 different flavors and skin salve and soaps!

We are fortunate to have such dedicated and talented vendors at our market.  Duane and Linda Bender are excellent additions to the Watertown Farm & Craft Market.  Their business, Bender Busy Bee Honey, has a fresh and creative display, a high level of engagement with their customers, and has shown commitment to the market and to market goers over the years.  They are undoubtedly worthy of this prestigious recognition!

Pictured below is the 2017 Watertown Farm and Craft Vendor of the Year, Simmons Farm, accepting their award at the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce's Annual Business of the Year Award Luncheon.

Not everyone is a morning person, so we recommend starting your Wednesday with a sample (or two) of Tug Hill Artisan Roasters coffee blends.

Need more than a sample to jump start your day?  Don't worry we've got you covered.  You can get a full cup of fresh Joe at Lamont's Food Fair or at the Cowgirl Cafe.

​Breakfast is commonly thought of as the most important meal of the day!  So, eat up and start your day off the right way by fueling your body with one of the many breakfast options available at our market on your way into the office.  We open at 6:30 AM every Wednesday so there is plenty of time to mosey around the market, grab some coffee, and have a tasty meal.

Now that you've had your caffeine quota for the AM and you've taken the time to fuel your body with lots of breakfast deliciousness, you might just have a few moments to spare before heading into work for the day. Use the time to get ahead start on all the fun shopping at our market! 

For a complete list of our vendors click here.

We could think of a million reasons why someone would go to their local farmers market - easily!  There's a variety of delicious produce, local beverages, unique crafts, live music, and so much more.  Beyond that though, farmers markets strengthens community.

At the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to promote and support business and industry, to enhance the community in which we live, work, and do business.  The Watertown Farm & Craft Market plays a significant role in just that!

Markets across the country have become a key component to our nation's economy, food system, and community.  Our market promotes and supports local business.  For over forty years, we have been connecting rural to urban and providing an opportunity for product sales.  And when food is produced, processed, distributed, and sold locally, well the result is pretty great. This process  leads to economic development and often yields job creation.  But beyond the economic and business benefits, markets contribute to the surrounding community by providing a social event.

The Watertown Farm & Craft Market directly connects farmers & crafters to consumers while providing a place for neighbor to meet neighbor.   Features such as food trucks, live music, and art, all contribute to the atmosphere of our market.  Every Wednesday, families, friends, and professionals come out to shop local, eat local, and enjoy downtown Watertown.

​​The benefits of having a farmers market are felt throughout our community.  The Watertown Farm & Craft Market truly helps to enhance the community in which we live, work, and do business.  So next time you're thinking of picking up some fresh veggies or shopping for some new accessories, bring a friend or a coworker and enjoy the market!

What a blast! Today was the first market of the 2018 Watertown Farm & Craft Market season.  Hosted by the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce and presented by Watertown Savings Bank, our market has been around since 1977 and takes place in historic downtown Watertown, New York.  We've sure grown a lot since then! This morning we welcomed ten new vendors (click here to see a full list of vendors). 

We've expanded! Today was out first day on Sterling Street. Not only has this expansion allowed us to grow, it has already enhanced the Watertown Farm & Craft Market by creating an energetic and safe atmosphere for our market goers!  Sterling Street will be closed to traffic during the hours of the market throughout the season, but don't worry, alternative routes will be marketed.

Opening day, new vendors, and a market expansion! How could it get better than this?!  Aren't you in for a treat... In addition to all the new and amazing news we've shared so far, we also have a new look! Our team at the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work putting together a new look, a new website, and a new Market Map, AND expanding our reach on social media.  

Overall, opening day was a HUGE success! We hope to see you again next week.