The Saluda Tailgate Market celebrates its 10th anniversary when the season begins May 3, 2019 on West Main Street in Saluda. 

  

The Saluda Tailgate Market is an agricultural product fair that allows shoppers to buy farm fresh and local food every Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm May through October. Agricultural products include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, plants, eggs and meat. If it’s in season and the weather has been good, you will see it at the market. In addition to fruits, vegetables and plants, locally baked and canned goods are available for sale. 

  

The market is sponsored by the Saluda Business Association (SBA) and the City of Saluda. Its success for the past 10 years has been due to its vendors, shoppers and team of volunteers. Walter Hoover, Shelley DeKay and Beth Carson were some of the original volunteers and founders. Working the market each season for the past 10 years, this dedicated group put up signs, set up barricades, greet shoppers, handle marketing, and ensure market rules and regulations are followed. It’s been the attention to detail that has made the Saluda market different and a fun place to congregate and visit. 

  

A few volunteers of the SBA interested in having a local growers’ market started the market in the summer of 2010. It has become a favorite tradition that shoppers look forward to from spring to fall every year. 

  

Many Saluda restaurants and businesses have made contact with growers at the Saluda market and now buy regularly from these vendors, increasing the impact to the local economy. Educating consumers about the different types of vegetables and the varieties plays an important part of the market. Explaining what they grow and why, market vendors take time to share from their experiences so that individuals can try their hand at growing their own vegetables. 

  

For more information, please visit the website at saludatailgatemarket.com or contact Shelley DeKay at 828-606-5713. 

  

Submitted by Lynn Casey