Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Been bit by the holiday decorating bug? Then head out to area farmers tailgate markets this week for festive farm-fresh flourishes!
Weaverville Tailgate Market kicks off their holiday season Wednesday, November 30th. Vendor Lyda Farms promises lots of holiday greenery, as well as decorative branches of Curly Willow and Pussy Willow. Weaverville’s holiday markets run the next four Wednesdays, through December 21, from 2 until 6 pm inside the community center near Lake Louise.
Corners Knob Farm will bring their just-cut Fraser Firs and handmade Fraser wreaths to Asheville City Market Saturday. They’ll remain through the final holiday market. But, don’t rest on your laurels; they could sell out before then.
Also bring the outdoors in with potted herbs and plants. Finally Farm dressed their Jade plants and cacti up with holiday bows this past weekend. Jade is a great winter option, because it tends to flower on the shortest day of the year! Asheville City Market’s holiday tailgates run for the next three Saturdays, through December 17, with new hours: 10 am until 1 pm.
You can also pick up a locally grown tree, wreath, or potted bulb ready to bloom this winter at the 9th Annual Holiday Bazaar, which begins this Saturday at the site of the Montford Farmers Market in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce parking lot. The Bazaar runs for the next three Saturdays, through December 17th, from 11 am until 3 pm.
Of course, area holiday tailgate markets offer lots of locally made decorations, too—from tree skirts to stockings to ornaments—along with handmade gifts—from jewelry to quilts to toys (even some for our pets!). Many vendors are offering special gift baskets and collections for the season. Smoking J’s Fiery Foods, for example, has put together a Salsa Sampler for sale at Asheville City Market. The sampler features their famous roasted ghost chili salsa, perfect for your heat-seeking friend or family member.
Speaking of foods, you can also find fresh produce like beets, carrots, collards, and kale this week and through the end of the season. Plus, expect to see lots of vendors with seasonal pies and candy, like caramel popcorn and chocolate confections.
The Yancey County Farmers Market hosts a special holiday celebration this Saturday, December 3rd, as well as December 10th, from 9 am until 3 pm in Area C of Burnsville Town Center. The Transylvania Tailgate Market will also host a special holiday celebration Saturday; the market runs through December 17 from 8 am until noon. And, the Jackson County Winter Market will host its Holiday Bazaar this Saturday and next, from 9 am until noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Jackson Street.
Asheville City Market South and the Wednesday Co-op Tailgate Market hold their final markets of the season this Wednesday, November 30, from 2 until 5 pm—although a few vendors may remain outside the French Broad Food Co-op over the next few weeks as their harvests allow. For more holiday market dates and details, along with tailgate closings, click HERE.