Summer temperatures are underway, and so are summer gardens. While many events have been cancelled for summer 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, farmers markets have not.

Both the Clayton Farmers Market, held at the Clayton Community Fairgrounds in Clayton, and the First Saturday Market, held at Perrins Field in Deer Park, opened for business the first weekend of June.

First Saturday Market

In 2019, the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce debuted the First Saturday Market at Perrins Field, near the fire station.

The idea for the market was two-fold. “First it was to give farmers direct access to customers, and second, to consolidate their time,” said Danielle Holstine, Executive Director of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce.

The market began its debut season with 15 vendors and finished with 30. Most of last year’s vendors have returned, Holstine said, along with several new vendors. The market features fresh produce, potted plants, cut flowers, and a wide sampling of art from local artists among other goods.

The market is open the first Saturday of each month: July 4th, August 1st, and September 5th, 10am – 2pm at Perrins Field. 

More information can be found at the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce website: Deerparkchamber.com/

Clayton Farmers Market and Small Animal Sale

Held every Sunday from 11am – 4pm through September 27th at the Clayton Community Fairgrounds, the farmers market sells local produce, jams and jellies, hand-made goods, potted plants, local honey, and offers small animals for sale too. 

Every week the produce offerings differ, said market manager Stephanie Littrel. That’s because weather and growing conditions can mean either an acceleration or a delay in predicted harvest.

“Everything we sell is locally grown,” Littrel explained. The person selling the food is the person who grew it. The market is following CDC guidelines for social distancing, and has made changes to how and where customers park this year. Booths are spaced further apart, and other smaller changes happened in order to ensure both customer and seller safety.

For the most current information about the market, visit the market Facebook page, or the following website: Claytoncommunityfair.com/