Join Us Every Saturday
Wire Park
🕘9:00 AM - 1:00PM
Oconee Farmers Market Weekly Newsletter
🌻 Welcome to August at the Oconee Farmers Market!
August has arrived, and while summer may be beginning to wind down, our market is still overflowing with the very best the season has to offer. From juicy peaches, sweet corn, vine-ripened tomatoes, crisp okra, and fresh figs to beautiful flowers, homemade baked goods, local honey, handcrafted soaps, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and so much more, there's no better time to shop local.
As you stroll through the market this Saturday, take a moment to visit someone you've never purchased from before. Ask a farmer about this week's harvest, learn the story behind a handmade creation, or discover a new favorite treat. Every purchase supports a local family, strengthens our community, and helps preserve the traditions that make farmers markets so special.
And don't forget—we're just 16 days away from our Farm-to-Table Dinner on August 16! This special evening celebrates the farmers, makers, and community that make the Oconee Farmers Market what it is. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, now is the perfect time. Early Bird pricing ends August 9, so there's still time to save!
Thank you for making the Oconee Farmers Market part of your Saturday tradition. Whether you're here for your weekly produce, a loaf of fresh sourdough, a bouquet of sunflowers, or simply to visit with friends, we're grateful you're here.
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Wire Park. Let's make the first market of August one to remember!
See you at the market! 🌻
📅 Community Happenings
Looking for more family-friendly fun after your visit to the market? Check out what's happening around our community this week!
🧜 Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 9
Disney's The Little Mermaid
📍 The Stage Oconee
🎭 Opening Weekend:
🕖 Friday, July 31: 7:00 PM
🕑 Saturday, August 1: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
🕑 Sunday, August 2: 2:00 PM
🎭 Second Weekend:
🕖 Friday, August 7: 7:00 PM
🕑 Saturday, August 8: 2:00 PM
(Sensory & Family-Friendly Performance) & 7:00 PM
🕑 Sunday, August 9: 2:00 PM
🎟️ Purchase tickets in advance.
🎶 Saturday, August 8 | 7:00–9:00 PM
OCAF Live Music Series: Bichos Vivos
📍 Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation
Enjoy an evening of lively forró music with Bichos Vivos in OCAF's
Main Gallery. Bring your friends and experience energetic rhythms,
dancing, and a fun community atmosphere.
🎟️ Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
🎨 Saturday, August 8 | 6:30 PM
Twisted Moon Studios: Stained Glass Workshop
Ready to spend the evening with a little fungi? 🍄
Create your own stained-glass mushroom suncatcher in this
beginner-friendly, three-hour workshop led by local stained-glass artist Rae.
Learn each step of the process while designing a beautiful piece to take home.
Workshop Includes:
✨ All supplies provided
🥤 One FREE New Creations craft soda
🎨 Your own handcrafted stained-glass mushroom
💲 $95 per person
⚠️ Advanced registration is required, and registration closes 48 hours before the event.
We love sharing events that bring our community together. We hope you'll enjoy all that Oconee County and the surrounding area have to offer this summer!.
🏡 Saturday, August 8 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Marable Estate Sale
📍 1340 Peacock Drive, Bishop, GA
Discover unique treasures while supporting a great cause! Browse vintage furniture, clothing, linens, rugs, kitchenware, books, art supplies, home décor, and much
more.
Whether you're searching for collectibles, vintage finds, or one-of-a-kind pieces, there's something for everyone.
❤️ All proceeds benefit the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, co-founded by Bob Marable.
Shop Local. Support Local.
Thank you for shopping local and supporting the Oconee Farmers Market. We wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and blessed weekend!
We'll see you at the market!
📍 Wire Park – Watkinsville
🕘 Market Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🌾 Farm-to-Table Dinner – Only 16 Days Away!
The countdown is on! In just 16 days, we'll gather around the table for one of the Oconee Farmers Market's favorite events of the year. Better yet, there are only 9 days left to take advantage of Early Bird pricing!
Join us on Sunday, August 16, for an unforgettable evening featuring Chef José Zambrano, who has created a delicious farm-fresh menu showcasing the flavors of our local farms and community.
🎟️ Early Bird Pricing Ends August 9!
Adult Tickets: $65 through August 9
Beginning August 10, tickets increase to $75, including at the door (if seats remain available).
👧 Children 7 & under eat FREE
🧒 Children ages 8–12 are just $30
📍 Event Details
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Historic Thomas Cotton Gin
3783 Greensboro Highway
Watkinsville, Georgia
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Dinner Served: 5:30–7:30 PM
🍽️ Featured Menu
-
Shrimp & Grits
-
Beef with Peach & Bleu Cheese
-
Chicken
-
Roasted Potatoes
-
Green Beans
-
Collard Greens
-
Fresh Salad
-
Dinner Rolls
-
Assorted Desserts
This evening is about more than an incredible meal—it's a celebration of the farmers,
growers, artisans, sponsors, and community members who make the Oconee Farmers
Market thrive. Every ticket purchased helps support our mission of connecting local farms
with our community.
Seats are limited, so don't wait until the last minute. Secure your place at the table today and save with Early Bird pricing while it lasts!
"Only 9 days remain to save $10 per ticket—reserve your seats today!"
👉 Click below to purchase your tickets:
Putting Summer in a Jar
There’s something special about this time of year. Farmers' markets are overflowing with vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, green beans, okra, and so many other summer favorites. It reminds me of a time when preserving the harvest wasn't just a hobby—it was a way of life.
For many of us, canning brings back memories of grandparents standing over a steaming pot, shelves lined with Mason jars, and the satisfying "ping" of lids sealing as they cooled. Those jars represented more than food. They represented hard work, family traditions, and the comfort of knowing summer's harvest would brighten the table long after the gardens were gone.
🥚 Did You Know?
Farm-fresh eggs are often collected within a day or two of reaching the market, which means they're incredibly fresh. That freshness gives them firmer whites, plumper yolks, and makes them a favorite for frying, poaching, and baking.
You may also notice eggs in shades of white, brown, blue, or even green. The shell color has nothing to do with taste or nutrition—it's simply determined by the breed of the hen.
Ever wondered why some egg yolks are bright orange while others are pale yellow? The color comes from what the hen eats—not from the egg's nutritional value. Hens that enjoy grasses, flowers, insects, and naturally pigmented feeds often produce richer-colored yolks. Every egg tells a little story about the hen that laid it!
In the United States, unwashed eggs have a natural protective coating called the bloom that helps keep bacteria out. Commercial eggs are washed, which removes that coating, so they must be refrigerated. Most local farmers selling at markets also wash their eggs to comply with regulations, so they should be refrigerated as well.
Fresh eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins D and B12, choline, and other essential nutrients—all packed into one remarkable little shell!
🌿 Produce Spotlight: Fresh Figs 🌿
There's something special about biting into a sun-ripened fig. Sweet, delicate, and only available for a short time each summer, figs are one of nature's true seasonal treasures. Their soft texture and rich, honey-like flavor make them just as delicious fresh from the basket as they are paired with cheeses, tossed into salads, baked into desserts, or served alongside grilled meats.
Not only are figs incredibly versatile, they're also packed with fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and natural sweetness—making them a healthy treat you'll feel good about enjoying.
The Grove Athens will has two outstanding varieties: Chicago Hardy and Celeste figs. Chicago Hardy figs offer a rich, berry-like flavor with deep purple skin, while Celeste figs are smaller, exceptionally sweet, and often called the "sugar fig" for their honey-like taste.
Don't miss your chance to enjoy these local favorites while they're in season. Stop by The Grove Athens, pick up a basket, and taste one of summer's sweetest harvests!
🍃 Fresh from the farm. Picked at their peak. Worth the wait.
Today, canning is making a comeback. Whether you're putting up peach preserves, freezing fresh corn, or making tomato sauce from vine-ripened tomatoes, preserving local produce is a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of summer throughout the year.
One thing I learned while writing this month's blog is that safe canning methods have changed over the years. While many family recipes are treasured, it's important to use research-tested recipes and current food safety guidelines to ensure the food you preserve is just as safe as it is delicious.
So, the next time you visit the market, maybe pick up a few extra peaches, tomatoes, or green beans. You might just be preserving more than food—you might be preserving a family tradition for the next generation.
If you'd like to learn more, be sure to visit this month's blog for canning and freezing tips, along with links to trusted, research-tested recipes.
Preserve the Harvest
Canning • Freezing • Dehydrating
📖 Read the Blog Here →
Happy preserving!
—Carol
Join Us This Saturday -
August 1
*Vendors*
*This list is subject to change with or without notice
