Eight farmers markets are running in Door County this summer. Here's what you need to know

Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·8 min read
Tomatoes, vegetables and herbs are among the staples founds at farmers markets across Door County, such as these at the Settlement Shops' farmers markets held Wednesdays during the summer and fall in Fish Creek.
Tomatoes, vegetables and herbs are among the staples founds at farmers markets across Door County, such as these at the Settlement Shops' farmers markets held Wednesdays during the summer and fall in Fish Creek.

DOOR COUNTY - There's one new farmers market, and it's in the evening to boot, and one in a new spot as the farmers market season on the Peninsula kicks into high gear.

A few weeks ago, we reported on three farmers markets in Door County − in Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor and Jacksonport − that opened their seasons before Memorial Day to give a head start to shoppers seeking fresh food products grown and made locally, health and body care products, home goods, and arts and crafts.

Now that June is here, farmers markets from Sturgeon Bay to Washington Island have opened their seasons or will shortly. Bear in mind, a number of popular produce items and plants may not be available or in their best condition for several weeks and, because of that, some markets may see an increase in vendors who hold off bringing their fruits, vegetables and flowers to market until then.

However, there still are plenty of produce and other goods to be found now. Here's an updated look at the eight markets taking place this summer in Door County.

Wednesdays

Fish Creek: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Oct. 26, on the grounds of Settlement Shops, 9106 State 42, Fish Creek.

About 15 vendors are appearing each week to offer flowers, plants, produce (early vegetables as of now), olive oils, jams and handmade items, all created by area farmers and artisans. Glen Innish Farm of Kewaunee is bringing frozen cuts of beef and lamb it raised, along with spices, teas, tomatoes and peppers, and two or three Door County-based authors also will be on hand to sell books and meet with readers.

Pat Thorp of Pat's Patch Organic Produce in Fish Creek works at her regular stand at the farmers market held Wednesdays during the summer and fall on the grounds of the Settlement Shops in Fish Creek.
Pat Thorp of Pat's Patch Organic Produce in Fish Creek works at her regular stand at the farmers market held Wednesdays during the summer and fall on the grounds of the Settlement Shops in Fish Creek.

Also, the shops surrounding the marketplace will be open.

The market will have live music scheduled for most weeks, with violinist Beth Chafey-Hon and accordionist Dale Graf taking turns as performers.

For more information, call 920-421-2115 or visit settlementshops.com/farmers-market.

Fridays

Egg Harbor: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 29, Hatch Distilling Co., 7740 State 42.

The news about the Egg Harbor market, which opened the Friday before Memorial Day, is its move from Harbor View Park a few blocks over to the parking lot at Hatch Distilling Co., which Alyssa Rasmusson of the sponsoring Egg Harbor Business Association said offers more room for vendors and visitors along with better visibility to those driving through the village.

Rasmusson said she expects eight to 10 early-season vendors with more possible as the summer moves on. Fresh vegetables, flower arrangements, maple syrup products, baked goods, fossil and stone creations and wooden relief maps were among the items available the first week, according to the business association's Facebook page, as well as bloody Marys and mimosas.

For more information, call 920-868-3717 or visit eggharbordoorcounty.org or facebook.com/EggHarborDoorCounty.

Saturdays

Sturgeon Bay: 8 a.m. to noon, June 3 through Oct. 14, South Third Avenue and Nebraska Street.

The largest weekly farmers market in Door County, with more than 80 regular vendors expected each Saturday morning for the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market and several spots that will swap out vendors on a weekly basis.

Sponsored by Destination Sturgeon Bay, the market takes place along downtown streets, on South Third Avenue between Michigan and Nebraska streets and on Nebraska from South Third to South Fifth avenues.

Shoppers check out the goods along South Third Avenue during a Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market held last year. The Sturgeon Bay markets, the largest in Door County, resume for the 2023 season June 3.
Shoppers check out the goods along South Third Avenue during a Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market held last year. The Sturgeon Bay markets, the largest in Door County, resume for the 2023 season June 3.

With so many vendors, the market offers a wide variety of goods grown or made locally or in the region: plants and flowers, produce, baked goods, meats, specialty foods, clothing and accessories, home accessories and yard art. Several vendors accept FoodShare tokens.

For more information including a list of vendors, visit sturgeonbayfarmersmarket.net.

Sister Bay: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 through Oct. 7, Corner of the Past Museum, 10310 Fieldcrest Road

Sponsored by the Sister Bay Historical Society at its museum, this market plans to have local farmers and vendors provide fresh produce, sauces, honey, meats, eggs, flowers and bakery, as well as jewelry, wood products and photography.

Also, a selected artist will give a demonstration of, and display, their work in the Koessl Barn on the grounds each week during the market as part of the historical society's Heritage Program series. Musicians also will perform for the program.

For more information, call 920-854-9247 or visit sisterbayhistory.org/event/farmers-market-opens.

Washington Island: 9 a.m. to noon through Oct. 14, just south of KK Fiske, 1177 Main Road (look for signs and tents).

Gathering Ground, an Island-based nonprofit organization that focuses on sustainable agriculture education and connecting the community to farmers with programs on its 30-acre farm, has sponsored this market for the past six years. After hosting it the first two years on its farm, the market has since been held next to KK Fiske Restaurant.

Five to 10 vendors will be on hand each Saturday. Gathering Ground executive director Alessandra Rolffs said most of them, including all those bringing plants and produce, are from the Island and all vendors have some connection to it. Three farms on the Island are among the vendors, the Hotel Washington will offer coffees and baked goods, and arts and crafts works, jewelry, honeys, candles and more will be available.

Rolffs said the market will hold a story time children's activity once a month. KK Fiske will be open during the market for those who need a bite to eat.

For more information, visit gatheringgroundwi.org/farmers-market.

Sundays

Baileys Harbor: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 18, Town Hall, 2392 County F.

Those looking to do their Sunday shopping outdoors can visit this annual market sponsored by the Baileys Harbor Community Association on the grounds outside Town Hall.

The Sunday Farm Markets, which started for the season May 16, expect more than 40 vendors to offer produce, plants, baked goods, hot sauce and peppers, jewelry, art, and clothing, including tie-dyed items. Live alpacas will be on hand most weeks along with clothing and other items made from alpaca fur. Food to eat on site will be available from the Cindy's Fresh Egg Rolls food truck and live music will be performed each week.

For more information, call 920-839-2366 or visit baileysharbor.com/events or facebook.com/BaileysHarbor.

Mondays

Ephraim: 4 to 7 p.m., June 19 through Aug. 28 (except July 3), Red Putter Mini Golf, 10404 Water St. (State 42).

This brand new market sponsored by the Ephraim Business Council, the only late afternoon/evening market on the Peninsula, is called the Bondemarked (Norwegian for "farmers market" in a nod to the village's heritage).

It's also not the only thing happening in the village Monday evenings this summer, as it'll run in conjunction with the village's Evenings in Ephraim concert series from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Harborside Park.

"We were looking at ways to expand our Evenings in Ephraim events," said Kelsey Stone, the council's marketing and events coordinator. "They've been going on 10 years, and they've been just the concert until now."

Stone said the Bondemarked, to be held in the green spaces around one of Door County's best-known miniature golf courses, likely will have more of a 50-50 balance of produce and plant vendors with craft vendors than the usual farmers market. For its first year, she said the council is trying to keep it smaller and simpler.

"We wanted it to be easier to manage for Year 1," Stone said. "There'll be eight to 12 vendors, but there's no overlap between them. It'll be a pretty healthy mix of food and craft vendors, so it's not entirely a farmers market."

Along with produce and plants, vendors are bringing candles, birdhouses, jewelry and more, and Sergio's Mexican Street Food truck will be on hand.

For more information, visit ephraim-doorcounty.com/play/events-festivals or facebook.com/EphraimDoorCounty.

Tuesdays

Jacksonport: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 17, Lakeside Park, off State 57.

Another of the early-bird markets is the Jacksonport Farmers Market, which started its 15th season May 16.

More than 30 vendors are expected each week, about half of them featuring food items such as fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, honey and maple syrup, fresh Door County whitefish, and locally baked sourdough bread and other baked goods. Smoked fish, cheeses, eggs, fresh pasta and a variety of jams and jellies also will be available.

One of the market's new vendors is Door County Custom Meats, which will offer 14 different flavors of frozen bratwursts, beef, poultry and pork products. They'll also serve cooked brats, burgers, hot dogs and barbecue pulled pork sandwiches during the market. Other grab-and-go foods and beverages will be available from other vendors.

A rotating variety of plants, cut flowers and bedding will be available. Area craftspeople will showcase Door County gifts, accessories, purses, pillows, jewelry, clothing and wood art and products. Among the home and body goods will be handmade soaps, trivets, coasters and candles, and DoCo Pit Pacs, therapeutic hot or cold packs made from dried cherry pits. Alpaca products and children’s books also will be available.

For more information, call Sue Jarosh of the Jacksonport Area Business Association at 920-839-5253 or email info@jacksonport.net.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here's the what, where and when on Door County's eight farmers markets