ST. GEORGE —The St. George Downtown Farmers Market finally will open this weekend and they’re going big – with a new location, 50 vendors, live music and the chance to support local artisans and farmers who put their hearts into what they do.
“This event brings people downtown and also boosts local businesses,” Kat Puzey, owner of both MoFACo and the downtown market, said. “The people that come to farmers markets are people that want to shop local, they want to be connected to their community or they’re tourists that want to have this real connection to St. George.”
The St. George Farmer’s Market, which has been around for 15 years, originally was set to open in May but took a hiatus while owner Puzey looked for available space, as reported by St. George News. With a goal to offer a larger venue that would allow for more vendors along with the ability to be open year-round, Puzey officially has found the market a new, permanent home, and she’s stoked.
The farmers market officially will open this Saturday on the south side of the spacious Vernon Worthen Park.
The market will now be year-round, with the following schedule:
- May to October, 8 a.m.-noon
- November to April, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- End of December to January, winter break for vendors.
This weekend event will include 10 food trucks and 50 vendors, which range from baked goods and farm-grown food to a large variety of artisans and makers who will showcase their crafts to the public.
Puzey said because the old location was somewhat hidden in Ancestor Square, most people weren’t aware of how big the market was or how many local businesses started and grew from it. She believes the new location will allow the market to be front and center, which will be a benefit for locals, tourists and vendors.
“There’s now a playground, room for food trucks, room to have as many artisans as we want and tons of trees and shade, so it’s going to be a great location and a great market,” Puzey said.
Ashley Tiller, a newly-hired Market Manager in Training, said she was hired with only two weeks to prepare for the market’s opening. Puzey expressed her gratitude for the tremendous amount of support she has given both her and the vendors in order to bring the market to fruition.
“She has just hit the ground running,” Puzey said. “Ashley has personally called and emailed each vendor and got all the food trucks to attend. The way it came together is crazy. I know it wouldn’t be that way if Ashley hadn’t come on board to help.”
Puzey said that Tiller is going to be her “right-hand man” this season and hopefully many seasons to come. Her goal is to train her to eventually take over the market completely, allowing for her to focus on the wide array of projects always on her plate.
“What makes her such an incredible find is that she really is passionate and loves local businesses,” Puzey said. “She’s the only person I’ve met that’s as passionate about it as I am.”
Tiller said she was born and raised in St. George and has a deep love for the community. She’s been going to the farmers market for as long as she can remember and is excited to watch the hard work they have all done pay off when the market opens this weekend.
“The fact that we have pulled this together in two weeks, like, I still sit back in awe,” Tiller said. “We pulled so many people on board and just the willingness of people that wanted to even share the event. I love seeing people as excited about it as we are.”
The St. George Downtown Farmers Market is actively accepting new vendor applications as well as musicians for live music. To fill out an application, click here.
About Vernon Worthen Park
Vernon Worthen Park is a community park located in the heart of St. George, adjacent to the St. George Leisure Services Recreation Center. This 8-acre park includes a gazebo, four separate picnic areas, a restroom facility, a children’s playground, three sand volleyball courts, one futsal and four pickleball courts.
The park hosts city-sponsored summer concerts, the St. George Marathon finish line and a variety of tournaments and seasonal festivals. Vernon Worthen Park is also a WiFi hotspot.
Event details
- What: St. George Downtown Farmers Market
- When: Saturday, Aug. 6 (reoccurring Saturdays) from 8 a.m. to noon
- Where: Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 E., St. George
- Admission: Free
- For more information, see the event page
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