TIFTON — The Wiregrass Farmers Market is looking into making a move downtown this fall.
The weekly community-based market, originally held in the Georgia Museum of Agriculture’s Pole Barn from April to July and October through mid-November, will be moving to the Tifton Gardens in Downtown Tifton near the start of its autumn season.
Accompanying the move, the market’s name is planned to be changed to the Tifton Farmers Market. Randi Hickman, market manager, stated that the relocation was to accommodate ongoing and planned expansions of the market.
“The market is growing — which is a great thing — and we’re kind of outgrowing our space here at the GMA,” Hickman said. “The Pole Barn is wonderful, it’s been a great atmosphere for our market, but as we’ve grown, it makes it difficult to figure out who gets to be placed under it and who has to be set up in the tents outside of it. Being able to move downtown puts everyone on an even playing field.”
With the expansion, Hickman hopes the market will be able to bring in more local vendors, namely more food stalls, and plans to take advantage of the downtown area to host events and activities alongside the farmers market.
The City of Tifton, having hosted a farmers market in the area some time ago, is looking forward to making Downtown Tifton the home of this one as well — Hillery Culpepper, Main Street manager, was excited to see how the Tifton Farmers Market would impact downtown, hopeful the move would lead to a “positive domino effect” for both parties.
“We hope that when people get done shopping at the farmers market, they’ll go eat at our local restaurants and shop with our local merchants, and those that are shopping or dining local will be able to walk down and experience the farmers market,” Culpepper said. “We just think it’s going to be a tremendous partnership.”
The farmers market is expected to set up shop at its new location during the first weekend of October. For more information or questions, visit their Facebook page or email wiregrassmarket@gmail.com.