Between 4:30 and 7:30 every Saturday morning from May 6 to October 28, the area surrounding the historic Rutherford County Courthouse in downtown Murfreesboro is transformed from a parking lot into a bustling farmer’s market. Vendors set up tents and unload fresh produce, bakery goods, local honey, and handcrafted items. When the market opens at 8 am until it closes at Noon, the street is lined with 68 vendors and a steady stream of customers. Maybe it’s the tree-lined walkway around the courthouse or the colorful stalls with flower bouquets, fresh produce, and an assortment of baked goods. Still, a small section of the third fastest-growing city in America slows to a small-town pace at the Saturday Market. Shoppers come early for coffee, fresh bagels, cinnamon rolls, country ham, and biscuits. Families and friends meet to shop, and MTSU students often bring their out-of-town parents. “The Market is a gathering place for our extended community and for showcasing our downtown,” said Sarah Callender, Executive Director for Main Street Murfreesboro.
The Murfreesboro Saturday Market features the best of Middle Tennessee farmers, growers, artisans, and craftsmen. You can find people sitting on the courthouse steps and benches to eat and listen to music from one of our local musicians. It’s not unusual to see toe tapping or clogging to music from Sophie Buck, our fan-favorite fiddle player. “The market offers shoppers fresh, locally raised products, and they get to know the farmers and vendors they buy from,” said Linda Weeks, Market Manager. “Our vendors take great pride in what they bring to the market.”
The Saturday Market first opened in 2010 as a farmer’s market, but during Covid, it expanded to include local artisans. The outdoor setting was a safe place, providing a vital sales outlet for vendors and a welcome spot for people needing to leave the house. The market has grown from a half-dozen vendors to 50 full-season and 41 part-time vendors for 2023.
On a good day, three to four thousand people visit the market to buy seasonal farm produce, locally raised beef, pork, poultry, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, and cut flowers. Local artisans and crafters sell homemade soaps, fabric crafts, artwork, woodworking, and ceramics. There is even a blacksmith. Twice a month, the Rutherford County Master Gardeners set up to share gardening tips with customers and activities for children. Another community partnership is with The Friends of the Linebaugh Library, which offers a book giveaway for customers twice each season. Visit the Saturday Market this season and bring a friend.
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“The Market is a gathering place for our extended community and for showcasing our downtown,” said Sarah Callender, Executive Director for Main Street Murfreesboro.
