The Warrensburgh Riverfront Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 25th season this year with full line up of special events, live music and activities for their community. In 1998 Warrensburgh Beautification Inc., a nonprofit organization and committee of the town began the market.
Teresa Whalen has been the Market Manager for the Warrensburgh Farmers’ Market for two decades. Teresa says, “When we started our farmers’ market it was out of need for access to fresh, local produce. We were the first farmers’ market in the area, and from the beginning, we only focused on products that were grown, raised or produced locally. We started themed markets (festivals) to highlight crops that were grown by our farmers, starting with garlic, then rhubarb and others. We also wanted the opportunity to showcase local artisans (Gathering of Artisans Festival), while not allowing our weekly market to turn into a craft fair.”
Teresa shares that, “The market was created to serve many purposes: provide a source of locally grown produce for residents and visitors; develop an entrepreneurial opportunity for small farmers; disseminate horticultural information; promote local interest in growing flowers and vegetables; and raise funds to further the revitalization of the Schroon River waterfront.”
Over the years, Teresa worked with partners, farmers and community members to build a farmers’ market that met the needs of the greater Warrensburg community. As a “producer-only” market, vendors sell locally grown, raised and prepared products including produce, plants, cut flowers, dairy, poultry, meats, maple syrup, honey; wine, beer and distilled spirits; preserves, baked goods and refreshments. All prepared foods are made “from scratch”, utilizing locally grown ingredients whenever possible.
Teresa says, “Our market is still held on Friday afternoons based on the availability of vendors and the traffic into our community as a “Gateway to the Adirondacks”. We have not changed our location, a scenic park along the Schroon River in the Warrensburgh Mills Historic District, but adapted it to suit our needs – a performance area in our gazebo, electricity, bathroom and storage, ample parking and pedestrian safety.”
This year, the Warrensburgh market will host a series of festivals and events later this season, including:
- Blueberry Festival– July 21st
- A Gathering of Artisans– August 11th
- Apple Festival– September 15th
- Garlic Festival– October 6th
The Warrensburgh Market is held on Friday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through October 6th at 180 River St, Warrensburg.
You can find other farmers’ markets around the region at: adirondackharvest.com/markets.
