Chattanooga Market picks up its regular Sunday routine May 3, but officials are hoping last weekend’s two-day opener is a sign of success for the rest of the 15th season. Not even the threat of torrential downpours last Saturday kept visitors away.
“It was a great turnout, especially since we didn’t get the ‘apocalypse’ that we were promised,” says spokeswoman Melissa Siragusa.
If you go
* What: “Play Along With the CSO” at Chattanooga Market * When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 3 * Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd. * Admission: Free * Phone: 423-648-2496 * Website: chattanoogamarket.com
CSO selections
* Grieg’s Suite No. 1 from “Peer Gynt,” Movement 4, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” * Elgar’s Variation IX (Nimrod) from “Enigma Variations” * Copland’s “Hoedown” from “Rodeo” * Williams’ “Imperial March” from “Star Wars”
Save the date
Chattanooga Market’s Farm Fresh Wednesdays market debuts May 6. Fresh produce, cheeses and artisan foods will be available from 3 to 6 p.m., along with a selection of gifts and crafts.
She credits that success to the “support of such a great city.”
“The purpose of the two-day opening paid off – which was to give folks a little more elbow room and stay and enjoy without feeling crowded,” she says.
This Sunday’s theme is “Play Along with the CSO” and will feature the more than 60 members of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, conducted by Kayoko Dan. They’ll be joined by registered volunteer musicians from the community.
After the CSO Youth Orchestras Brass Quintet and Woodwind Trio warm up the stage at 11:30 a.m. and noon, respectively, the CSO will perform at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. From 1 to 3:30 p.m., Lee University’s Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha will man an instrument “petting zoo.”
This week, marketgoers will find a wide selection of spring plantings including fruit-producing bushes and trees, tomato plants, potted herbs, sunflowers and other perennials and annuals. Lettuces and a limited amount of berries also will be available, Siragusa says. The fresh produce sold at the market is seasonal, so the selection depends on what the farmers have available to harvest.
Last weekend, shoppers’ favorite finds included fresh flowers and locally grown lettuce.
“Fresh-cut flowers were a huge hit,” Siragusa says. “They sold out. [And] our hydroponics lettuce vendor sold out each day.”
She says visitors also seemed to enjoy the expanded food truck patio, which included a new Caribbean food truck.
Chattanooga Market also offers meats, cheeses and artisan foods. Photography, canvas art, sculpture, jewelry, soaps and many other handmade products are available from local arts and crafts dealers.
Starting May 6, Chattanooga Market will be open 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday this summer. The midweek edition is a slower-paced experience with more time to chat with the farmers about growing practices or cooking ideas.
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at 423-757-6396 or khill@timesfreepress.com.