The Franklin Farmers Market will host its 9th annual Franklin Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 18th beginning at 8am, hosted by market sponsor, Williamson Medical Center. Strawberries are short-lived and definitely something to celebrate, but this year our strawberry farmers are in need of your support.
Strawberry Alert: For obvious reason, our farmers keep an eye on the weather. Weather plays a role in when they plant, when they need to protect fragile fruit plants from freezing temperatures and when to irrigate. This year too much rain has affected our middle TN strawberry farmers and many have lost all of their strawberry crops. Strawberries are susceptible to fast decay when they receive too much water, particularly in peak season. If you are lucky enough to find some local berries, it is best to eat them or preserve them quickly, as wet conditions cause the fragile fruit to breakdown immediately after harvest.
As of Friday morning, 7:30 am May 17th, we will have no Strawberries for Shortcakes and extremely low quantities of Strawberries. Our Strawberry Festival will go on with many free activities and strawberry inspired foods and drink for fun and entertainment! Free kids activities will include face painting, a trampoline from market sponsor Springfree Trampoline, storytelling and games. In typical Tennessee tradition, live music will entertain market visitors on our patio where customers can enjoy the best food in middle TN from one of our food trucks who source produce and meats from our market farmers. Market Sponsor and leading Healthcare provider Williamson Medical Center will have a booth supporting this year’s Strawberry Festival.
We are grateful for Market Sponsor Williamson Medical Center for making this year’s Franklin Strawberry Festival possible! From left to right Paul Bolin, Chief Financial Officer; Nicole Volk, Director of Marketing and Business Development; Julie Miller, Chief Operating Officer; and Lori Orme, R.N. Chief Nursing Officer, F.A.C.H.E
Califarmia food truck will serve a special strawberry themed dessert on our patio. Karen’s famous shortcakes, a local favorite tradition from Norton Family farm, will once again be the popular dessert in the celebration. Karen Norton will be making homemade shortcakes for the occasion, topped with berries and served with whip cream made from Hatcher Dairy cream. Ellie’s Donuts will serve up their delicious strawberry donuts. Many vendors will have their own strawberry surprises for customers including fresh strawberry lemonade from Belle Springs Lemonade. Visit this link for a delicious Strawberry French Toast Recipe prepared by Chef Michael Martin of South Fork Catering.
Click on the link above for this incredible Strawberry French Toast Recipe created by Chef Michael Martin of South Fork Catering
It’s a family affair at the Franklin Strawberry Festival with free children’s activities, homemade shortcakes by Norton Family Farms and Califarmia’s strawberry surprise. Come out to show your support to your favorite strawberry farmer!
The Franklin Strawberry Festival isn’t all that is happening at the market. Festival attendees can enjoy all that our market has to offer- fresh, locally grown produce, locally made artisan goods and food trucks, Califarmia, Jay’s Chicago and others for breakfast and lunch. Admission to the festival and the market is free! The Franklin Farmers Market is located at the corner of Liberty Pike and Franklin Road, behind The Factory.
The Franklin Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am-1pm behind the Factory in Franklin, TN. The market is a 17 yr old producers only market with the largest assembly of local farmers providing fresh farm food all year long each Saturday morning. Find us at 230 Franklin Road behind the Factory. Visit us online at www.franklinfarmersmarket.com or follow us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram for the latest market news.