October 8, 2016, brings back both the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market and the Arts Market to historic, downtown Fernandina Beach. Currently involved in a contest to be named “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living, a leading authority on coastal home and travel, the City of Fernandina Beach is indeed a happy place.

Likely the friendliest farmers market in Florida, the Market Place will cheerfully add “Happiest” to our resume, too, and if you have ever been to North Seventh Street on a Saturday morning, you know what I mean.

This week there will be over 60 tents full of amazing vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, dips, prepared dishes, olives, pickles, soaps, jams, plants, trees, shrubs, rice, breads, pastries, jewelry, pottery, paintings, woodworking, apparel, home decor, furniture and so much more.

“Meet the Bee Keeper!” Nancy Gentry of Cross Creek Honey Company, will be in attendance this Saturday to answer all of your honey questions. For three years, Nancy worked with the Department of Agriculture to see Florida adopt the first honey standard in the nation. Their motto is: “Raw Honey the Way Bees Intended” so on extraction day the wax cappings are sliced off, the frames go into a spinner, the honey comes out through the spigot, strained with two kitchen strainers to remove any leftover wax particles and then packed in glass jars. They bottle in a certified kitchen and hold all permits required under the food safety laws of Florida. Honey is available each and every week at the farmers market in 2 ounce, 12 ounce, and 1 pound sizes. They also have honey drippers, soap, lip balm, and candles.

One of our newest vendors is soy candle vendor, Tranquil Formations. Available in a variety of scents, including seasonal favorites, prices range from 3.00 to $20.00. Devon makes her 100% natural soy wax candles in up-cycled containers and one half of her profits are donated to Springfield Pet Rescue Group in downtown Jacksonville.

Coastal Living recently announced its sixth annual top 10 list of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns. The unranked list includes top beach destinations across the United States, from Washington to Maine and from Michigan to Florida – including Fernandina Beach! We took video footage of the farmers market and the Arts Market and made a short video, not only to show off the cool stuff you can find at the Market Place, but also to show how happy our vendors are.

VOTE HERE – You can vote every 15 minutes!

We are open rain or shine, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and your well behaved leashed pets are welcome. Music will be provided by the talented Alain Lelait, and our Booth with a Cause will be Florida State College of Jacksonville announcing their upcoming open house.

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