More booths, more vendors, more produce and a few new themes are on the menu for this year's Chattanooga Market, which begins its ninth season Sunday at First Tennessee Pavilion.
The free, open-air market features fresh produce, meats and cheeses, handmade arts and crafts, prepared foods and live music. It has seen an increase in interest from potential vendors, according to market owner Chris Thomas.
"We had about 200 people at our vendor meeting last year, and we had 575 this year."
Some vendors attend the market every Sunday, and some come once or twice a year. Produce vendors, for example, are all local farmers and can sell only what is in season, though most offer a variety of fruits and vegetables.
"We are excited about the produce for this year," Thomas said. "We will have Link 41 Sausage, cow and goat milk cheeses, chicken, beef and turkey jerky."
Thomas said the market had $480,000 in local produce sales last year and $700,000 in local arts and crafts sales.
Because of the large number of vendors, Thomas said the market's footprint likely will expand with some booths being placed outside the pavilion and on Carter Street.
He said the Thursday Plaza Party, which was added at Miller Plaza at the end of last season, will be a regular evening event beginning May 4. It is a smaller version of the Sunday market with live music, fresh produce and foods to take home for dinner and some arts and crafts.
"It's a tiny midweek party," he said.
IF YOU GO
* What: Chattanooga Market opening weekend.
* When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
* Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1865 Carter St.
* Admission: Free.
* Website: www.chattanoogamarket.com
2010 HIGHLIGHTS
For the full schedule, visit the market's website.
* Plaza Party: This is a small version of the original market offering fresh produce, take-home foods, live music and spirits from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, May 4-Sept. 30, at Miller Plaza downtown.
* Beast Feast: Scheduled May 29-30, this barbecue cook-off among Chattanooga's best restaurateurs returns for a second year.
* Chef cookoffs: The FiveStar Food Fight on Aug. 15 and the Cast Iron Cook-off on Sept. 19 offer patrons an opportunity to see recipes made with fresh foods bought that day at Chattanooga Market in an entertaining environment.
* Cooking demonstrations: Chef Wolfgang Poe will prepare family-friendly recipes using fresh foods and spices from market vendors on the first Sunday of each month.
* Chattanooga Oktoberfest: Chattanooga's oldest and largest German celebration, set for Oct. 23-24, features live German music, German-inspired foods, a Bier Garten and family entertainment.
* Holiday Market: The 2010 season culminates with the much anticipated shopping extravaganza Dec. 4-5.