At the Chestertown Farmers' Market, you'll find only home-grown produce and home-made products for sale -- the Association won't permit any other kind.  Some of the fine growers, bakers and crafters who are regulars include . . . 

Tim & Kathy Redman - Produce
Mervin Lapp - Baked Goods
Lisa Redman - Soap & Lotions
Richard Brusca Nursery, Inc. - Plants
Olin Simpkins - Produce & Fruit
Helen Merenda - Plants
Jim Reynolds - Bread
Joseph Towner - Organic Produce
Jim & Alice Breger - Plants
Henry Hilleary - Produce
Sarah Arnold - Arnold Breads
Owen McCoy - Plants and Seasonal Items
Galena Blooms - Don & Lisa Biggar - Plants

Artisans' Market is located in Fountain Park across from the Chestertown Farmers' Market.  The hours are the same as the Farmers' Market -- Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m.  Featuring an array of Eastern Shore art by local artists, painted furniture, beach glass, wreaths and seasonal garlands and arrangements.  For more information, contact Holly McCoy at 410-348-5255.

The true origins of the Chestertown Farmers' Market are lost in the mists of time, but long-time residents maintain that it began with one truck parked near the steps of Emmanuel Church to sell vegetables on Saturday mornings.  When the highway came through, the farmer moved on.  That might have been the end, had not Jaimie Gaudion revived and improved the idea in 1981.

Living out at Quaker Neck Landing, she knew a number of people who grew vegetables organically in backyard plots.  She suggested to Mayor Elmer Horsey that some sort of local produce market would be a good idea.  The Mayor was immediately supportive, and made Fountain Park available on Saturday mornings.  Jaimie and Bill Ingersoll, the Town Manager, then managed to convince the original eight vendors to agree to come.  At first, the operation was very informal, publicized only by word-of-mouth, though Marilyn White did create a banner advertising the existence of the market.  The banner eventually disappeared, to be replaced by the wooden sign that remains today.

Over time, local vendors have come and gone.  The original idea of a market to sell organically-grown vegetables from backyard gardens has evolved into a somewhat more commercial enterprise.  Owen McCoy, the current manager, has been careful, however, to ensure that the vendors adhere to the founders' principles; and that nothing but locally grown or produced items are offered for sale.  The market has become an institution -- we hope that you'll visit.