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A pre-pandemic initiative by the Harbor District Market is making a comeback this summer. The Harbor District Market announced last week that the Summer Market will officially return on June 14 at Festival Park. 

Summer Market is an outdoor farmer’s market hosted by the Harbor District Market. Local farmers will sell their fresh produce, eggs and meats. Homemade baked goods and locally roasted coffee will be available for sale, too. 

The Summer Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  on the second Saturday of every month until September 13. The market will be located at Crab Park (the grassy space beside Pitt Street on the Pamlico where the painted crabs stand) with the exception of the first market held at Festival Park during Summer Festival. 

Harbor District Market Manager, Randa Flournoy, said the Summer Market was a popular site at the waterfront before the COVID pandemic. “I recently spoke with our board president to try to figure out why it actually ever went away. I think COVID had something to do with it…And so, I just don’t think it ever made its way back.” 

However, earlier this year, Flournoy had a “light bulb” moment and questioned “why not do the Summer Market again.” 

“I think the market is wonderful for our producers, but why not give them an extra venue during the summer, during the peak season for them, to see if they can get some new customers, some more exposure down at the waterfront,” Flournoy said. 

While current Harbor District Market vendors will be given preference, any local farmer can join the Summer Market. Any farmer looking to join the market will need to fill out a vendor application. 

Currently, eight Harbor District Market vendors are participating in the Summer Market, Flournoy shared. Some of the vendors include: Fat Boy Farms, Phoenix Farms, Beaufort County Organics, IBX Agro, Petals and Produce and Southside Farms. 

Summer Market vendors are encouraged to bring their own tents in the event of inclement weather. 

When asked why it’s important for the Harbor District Market to feature local farmers, Flournoy explained, 

“The Harbor District Market – we’re a little bit different than your traditional farmer’s market. Since we are mission oriented – to support Beaufort county farmers and artisans – we’re here to give them that leg up for a small business or entrepreneurs. We’re here to give them that kickstart to hopefully graduate out of here and into their own brick-and-mortar, their own storefront.” 

She continued to say that buying from local farmers is a way to put money back into the community and attending the Summer Market is a great way to bring the community together. 

She said the Harbor District Market aims to make the Summer Market a “fun community outing for everybody.” 

“This is a chance to bring the community back together again…We’re hoping to bring something fun to Washington,” Flournoy said. “We bring something fun to the community and the community supports our local farmers and that’s the whole goal.” 

Flournoy said the Harbor District Market would like to see the Summer Market become an annual event. 

The Harbor District Market is located at 140 W. Main St., Washington. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.