The Signal Mountain Farmers Market is celebrating the return of warm weather with a Welcome Spring event set for Thursday, April 13, when the market will also transition from its shortened winter hours back to its regular time of 4-6 p.m.
"We'll have live music and a lot more vendors back," said market manager Teresa Garland. "Come support local farmers and know where your food comes from."
The market will offer free lemonade to customers that day as they check out the local produce, meats and other farm-fresh items from returning vendors such as Rafting Goat Cheese, as well as farmers who are new to the market. New vendors include Myers Farm, offering dry-aged steaks and beef; and Jones Farm, selling seasonal fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, peaches and melons.
"We'll have even more vendors and produce coming in May," Garland said.
The market started also hosting live performances by local musicians last year. After being put on hold for the winter, the performances will return with the Welcome Spring event, which features folk musician Cameron Sutphin. The market will continue to host different musical guests twice a month, said Garland, with two bluegrass artists next up on the schedule: Kyle Deazy on April 27 and Matt Downer on May 11.
"It creates a very nice atmosphere at the market and helps give local artists a place to perform and get their name out," Garland said. "We're all about local farmers, local produce and local artists."