In the heart of downtown Murray, there’s a tradition that brings the local community together.

     Every Saturday, vendors line the streets of Court Square to take part in the Downtown Farmers Market. The market provides a platform for local farmers and creators to promote their products directly to the public and stimulate the local economy.

     “The Murray Farmers Market is one of the largest farmers markets in the state,” Tyler Smith, the co-owner of Future Vision Farms, said. “We have a lot of variety here.”

     As a farmer who manages 120 acres, Smith has been participating in the Murray Farmers Market for seven years. For him, it’s a chance for the public to connect with producers in a way that simply cannot be done at chain stores.

     “If somebody’s looking for a niche product or something that’s handmade in Murray or the surrounding counties, this would be a good spot to come,” Smith said. “You get products from people that have faces, not necessarily from Walmart.”

     The visibility the market offers local vendors is indispensable to the growth of businesses in Calloway County. 

     Michele Hunter began her small business of making jewelry, ornaments and knicknacks as a hobby, but the market has allowed that hobby to grow into a rewarding business, Idle Hour Jewelry.

     The support of her community and local customers has turned Idle Hour Jewelry into a pursuit that Hunter said has very few idle hours.

     “If somebody’s thinking about starting their own business, just start out small,” Hunter said. “As you can, you get bigger and bigger and bigger. It’s almost like an explosion.”

     With the explosion of business comes the freedom of management. 

     Eran Guse, owner of Wild Mountain Bakery, said he bases his bakery almost solely out of his stall at the farmers’ market.

     “It’s nice,” Guse said. “It gives us flexibility to make our goods when we want.”

     Along with monetary benefits, the market offers a loyal customer base with plenty of small-town connections.

     “We know our customers who are coming here, and repeats know us – they know what they want,” Guse said. “They’ll come here and we’ll have conversations. They’ll ask us about our families. So it’s a really cool thing. The farmers market is a wonderful situation.”

     The joy of these community connections are felt even by those new to the market. First year vendor Drew Passarella, who runs Amethyst Forest with his wife Melissa, said they have relished the chance to share their creative jewelry, toys and figurines with their community, especially Murray’s children.

     “It’s very rewarding to see the joy on people’s faces when they find a piece of jewelry or a print that they instantly fall in love with,” Passarella said. “Kids will take my prints and rub them against their face, like it’s a soft thing, even though it’s made of plastic. It’s been a joy every time.”

     Murray’s Farmers Market was inspired by the town’s Trade Days of the 1800s, monthly events when people would travel from all over to buy, sell and barter in Murray. The market is one of Murray’s efforts to revitalize Trade Days’ economic opportunity.

     “A lot of times, people are struggling to get by with money,” Passarella said. “So having a creative outlet that can also make us money has been a lifesaver.”

While the market started in July 1998 with only a dozen vendors during its first year, this

offically-registered Kentucky Proud farmers market has grown to almost 50 vendors during its peak season. In a county known for its farming and a town filled with creative individuals, the market has become a strong Murray tradition.

     “Oh, the Murray Farmers Market is great! It’s my favorite [market] to do because there are so many different products here,” Melissa Drake, owner of HappyGoLicky Jewelry said.

     Drake creates one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, which she ships all over the country. For her local Murray customers, she makes sure to offer different products every week in the spirit of the market’s diverse offerings.

     “There’s a huge variety,” Drake said. “We have the breads and the fruits and vegetables, of course, which brings everyone out, but we also have the jewelry, the kettlecorn, and we have soaps, leather goods and wood products. It’s just very diverse. It brings out a lot of people. It’s so good for the community.”

     Drake’s passion for jewelry making began when she was in college. Now, it is her full-time job, and she loves the opportunity to use her creativity and platform to create products that people will remember. Her most recent line includes surfite jewelry, which is made from the recycled resin of surfboards.

     “I’m taking this material and then making one-of-a-kind pieces with it,” Drake said. “I’m super excited about being able to do something good for the environment, and it’s so fun and so colorful.”

     Another passionate local at the market is Steve Vuchweitz, who owns Barkley Hills Honey. 

The vendor started beekeeping 10 years ago and said he simply fell in love with it. He uses his business as a chance to offer fresh, local honey and educate people on the peaceful, interesting and wonderful nature of his bees.

     For Vuchweitz, farmers markets like Murray’s are a valuable thing. He said he is especially encouraging participation from Murray State students.

     “Come out to the market more,” Vuchweitz said. “People need to come and enjoy the things in their communities.”

     If you want to visit Murray’s Downtown Farmers Market, check out Court Square any Saturday from May through October. The market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon.