Did you make it out to Mauldin’s farmers’ market last year? If so, I have some good news and some bad news.
The bad news is that there is no Saturday market at the Cultural Center this year. Even though we didn’t see our event as competition for the other Saturday markets, we learned from experience that we actually were. We competed for vendors, and we competed for an audience, so this year there will not be a market on Saturday.
Now, here’s the good news.
The 2018 Mauldin Farmers’ Market, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, will now be on Tuesdays and is bigger and better than it’s ever been.
Running from June 5 through August 28 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mauldin Cultural Center’s amphitheater, the Mauldin Farmers’ Market, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, features a variety of vendors from across the Upstate offering locally-sourced and produced items that include produce, dairy, eggs, honey, gifts, clothing, accessories, treats, pastries, and more.
Most vendors accept cash and/or credit cards, and this year, the Mauldin Farmers’ Market will also feature live music, food trucks, and beer and beverages by Growler Haus.
Current 2018 vendors include:
- Birdhouses By Design
- Bohica Pepper Hut
- Calico Vineyard
- Chocolate Artworks
- Far & Beyond
- Forx Farm
- Greenfield’s Bagels
- Greenville Honey Company
- H&G Produce
- Handpainted Treasures
- The Happy Berry
- Higherview Farms
- Hyder Farms
- JJ’s Pop Shoppe
- Lil Gurl Pottery
- Louloumooshu’s Face Painting
- Low Country Shrimper
- Lucy’s Kitchen
- LuLaRoe by Kelli Fugate
- Mauldin Coffee Co.
- Miss Bee Haven Honey Bones
- Modern Forestry Soy Candles
- Mom & Me Soaps
- Moore Family Farm
- Oreno Hellenic Ladi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Piedmont Wood Carvers’ Club
- Pound Cakes by Dorcus
- Sandy Flat Berry Patch
- Seasons Cafe
- Senn Farms
- The Shrimp Connection
- Southern Soap Shop
- Twin Oaks Studio
- Wandering Bard Meadery
- Whispered June
- Whispering Pines Farm, Dairy, and Cheesery
- Zula Mae Creations
Not only are our vendors local, but so is our entertainment. The music starts at 6:00 p.m., and this year’s lineup includes:
- West End String Band on June 5 (Americana/Folk/Bluegrass)
- Trapfire Brothers on June 12 (Blues/Rock)
- Vilai Harrington & the Hamptones on June 19 (Folk/Appalachian)
- Zach Parks on June 26 (Southern Americana/Country)
- Matt Fassas on July 3 (Blues/Classic Rock)
- James Radford Band on July 10 (Country/Southern Rock)
- Darby Wilcox and the Peep Show on July 17 (Indie/Folk Rock)
- The Electric City Blue on July 24 (Bluegrass/Rock)
- Jack Roper and the Weatherman Band on July 31 (Classic Rock/ Beach)
- My Girl My Whiskey & Me on August 7 (Progressive Bluegrass)
- The Paper Crowns on August 14 (Folk/Bluegrass)
- Corey Stevenson Band on August 21 (Rock/Blues/Country)
- Amy & Eli on August 28 (Pop/Rock)
Finally, there are the food trucks. Come hungry for:
- Bosco’s Baby’s on June 5
- Emergency Stop Sandwich Shop on June 12
- Roll-In Cuban Food Truck on June 19
- Divine Bovine on June 26
- Bosco’s Baby’s on July 3
- Free Bird Concessions on July 10
- Automatic Taco on July 17
- Roll-In Cuban Food Truck on July 24
- Divine Bovine on July 31
- FREE FOOD provided by the Mauldin Police Department on August 7
- Free Bird Concessions on August 14
- TBD for August 21
- Divine Bovine on August 28, 2018
Parking, entry, and live music are free. Lawn chairs and/or blankets are welcome. Outside food and beverages are prohibited. Dogs are allowed on leashes, but please carry disposable bags to pick up any pet droppings. The Mauldin Farmers’ Market, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, is a tobacco/vape-free zone.
Oh, before I forget, the market will also feature free activities such as small-group fitness, health screenings, and cooking demonstrations.
I think that pretty much covers it. Hopefully, we’ll see you every Tuesday evening from now through August 28.
— Taft Matney serves in Seat 1 on Mauldin city Council. He can be reached at tmatney@mauldincitysc.com.♦
