Tailgate Tents Going Up!
Area farmers markets begin opening out doors this April
Yes, it is spring! One way to know for sure, even with the confusing cold and snow? Tailgate tents are going up, and area farmers markets are opening outdoors for the harvest season. At spring tailgates, expect fresh greens, spring onions and asparagus; meats, cheeses, baked goods, value-added farm items like preserves, and a wide selection of plant starts.
Produce offerings will differ from market to market based on the location of vendor farms—microclimates vary greatly in the region. Last winter was also much warmer, so early April markets won’t have the exact same offerings as they did in 2012.
Find a list of spring tailgate opening days below. Markets listed are all members of the Mountain Tailgate Market Association (MTMA), a collaborative group of farmer- and vendor-only area markets.
Opening Dates
Asheville City Market: April 6, Saturdays, 8 am-1 pm
Asheville City Market South: April 3, Wednesdays 2-6 pm
Bakersville Farmers Market: May 25, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm
Black Mountain Tailgate Market: May 4, Saturdays 9 am-12 pm
East Asheville Tailgate Market: May 17, Fridays 3-6 pm
Flat Rock Tailgate Market: May 2, Thursdays 3-6 pm
French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 3, Wednesdays 2-6 pm
Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 20, Wednesdays/Saturdays 8 am-12 pm
Henderson County Tailgate Market: early spring, Saturdays 7 am-12 pm
Historic Marion Tailgate Market: May 14, Tuesdays 3-6 pm, Saturdays 9 am-12 pm
Leicester Farmers Market: March 30, Saturdays 9 am-2 pm
Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: April 6, Saturdays 9 am-1 pm
Mills River Farmers Market: May 4, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm
Montford Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays 2-6 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market: April 13, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm
Oakley Farmers Market: May 9, Thursdays 3:30-6:30 pm
Spruce Pine Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays 2-5 pm
Transylvania Tailgate Market: April 20, Saturdays 8 am-12:30 pm
Waynesville Tailgate Market: May 15, Wednesdays/Saturdays 8 am-12 pm
Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 10, Wednesdays 2:30-6:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market: April 9, Tuesdays 2:30-5:30 pm
Yancey County Farmers Market: April 20, Saturdays 8:30 am-12:30 pm
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more about ASAP’s work, visit asapconnections.org, or call (828) 236-1282.
