There is something for everyone at Market Day in downtown Fayetteville. With its first year in 2008 a success, Main Street Fayetteville continued the event this year and has three more dates set for venues that focus on fresh produce and include items from a variety of vendors.

“The idea is that everything featured has to be handmade or homegrown,” said Main Street Fayetteville Executive Director Brian Wismer. “That’s in keeping with the state program, ‘Georgia made, Georgia grown.’”

A sampling of the variety of items at Market Day includes fresh, organic produce, plants, jams and jellies, rain barrels, woodworking crafts, handmade jewelry, children’s boutique items and crystal and stone coasters. Main Street Coordinator Joyce Waits said the vendor applications are filtered to provide a balance of items available for purchase.

Wismer said the July Market Day event attracted more than 30 vendors and between 300-500 residents to the gazebo area at the county complex at Glynn Street and Stonewall Avenue.

“Vendor interest has increased significantly and we’re picking up new ones along the way,” he said.

The remaining dates for 2009 are Aug. 15, Sept. 19 and Oct. 24. Market Day runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The October event, however, is tied in with the all-day, downtown event that includes trick-or-treating, the pumpkin contest, Halloween costume contest and a variety of live entertainment.

Though only in its second year, the benefit of having Market Day is visible, said Wismer. Residents can purchase quality, handmade and homegrown items at a good price and in a relaxed, small town atmosphere.

“People like to buy local produce and in a way that mimics the way small towns used to be,’ he explained. “Holding Market Day downtown also helps people to stop and take notice of the downtown area. It makes downtown a destination.”

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