The Franklin Farmers Market will host its 6th annual Franklin strawberry festival on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 8am till 1pm, hosted by market sponsor, Ford Lincoln of Franklin. Farmers will vie for the best tasting strawberry in the popular taste test judged by local celebrity judges, and children will have many free activities for fun and entertainment. From owner Greg Brown, “Ford Lincoln of Franklin is a proud partner of the Franklin Farmers Market and we feel honored to sponsor such a valuable community institution. The Strawberry Festival is a highlight of the Franklin Farmers Market each year!”

We are thrilled our line up of Best Tasting Strawberry Judges are Greg Brown, Market Sponsor and Owner of Ford Lincoln of Franklin, Chris Harris with WSMV Channel 4 News, Laura Musgrave, President of the Music City Concierge Association and Eric Stuckey, City Administrator for the City of Franklin.

Over 1,000 Strawberry Shortcakes prepared just for YOU!

Karen’s famous short cakes, a local favorite tradition from Norton Family farm, will once again be the popular dessert in the celebration. Karen Norton will be making 1, 000 homemade short cakes for the occasion, topped with local berries from our farmers and whip cream made from Hatcher Dairy cream. Ellie’s Donuts will serve up their famous donuts to complement the strawberries, and many vendors will have their own strawberry surprises for customers.

It’s a family affair at the Franklin Strawberry Festival with free children’s activities, homemade shortcakes by Norton Family Farms and locally grown strawberries from our farmers picked less than 48 hours before the event. You can’t find a sweeter event than the strawberry festival!

Preserve the Best of the Best Strawberries for All Year Goodness

Spring got off to a cool start, but the recent warmer weather has ripened berries to perfection. With just enough rain to keep the berries growing without being waterlogged, the middle TN area is looking at a bumper crop year for strawberries!

Strawberry season doesn’t last long, and neither do the berries once they’re picked. To keep your berries fresh, you want to keep them cold and dry so they don’t mold. For short term, arrange the berries (without washing or removing the stems) on a paper towel-lined tray and cover with plastic wrap; then refrigerate. Before eating or using them, wash the berries under cool water and then remove stems. If you remove the stems before you are ready to eat them they will get soft and start molding.

Greg Brown of Ford Lincoln of Franklin loves Tennessee Sweet Strawberries!

For long term you can freeze your berries and enjoy that goodness all year! Take advantage of peak season of strawberries at the Franklin market and freeze your strawberries for smoothies, shortcakes, and cereal. To do this, place rinsed, dried, and stemmed whole berries, cut sides down, on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet; freeze, uncovered, for six hours, then transfer to a freezer bag. Another option is to freeze them whole! You simply have to remove the stem and core, place them on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet in a freezer then transfer to a freezer bag approximately 1 hour later. You can store them in the freezer for up to six months and enjoy them in the off-season, too!

Our Festival Judges have the best job of the day!

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 local food trucks 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 15 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.