About the Market

Schedule: The Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market is open every Tuesday and Saturday from 7am-1pm, from Easter to Thanksgiving. NEW! Winter market days and hours for December TBA.

Our Location: The Municipal Parking Lot on South Liberty Street across from the Daily News Record.

Organizational History: The organized downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market we enjoy today was started in 1979 by Samuel Johnson, a fruit and vegetable grower, with the help of community leaders including Helen Wetsel, Nancy Garber, Rob Howarth and others. The Downtown Harrisonburg Retail Merchants were the initial Farmers’ Market sponsors because they knew a vibrant Market would draw people downtown.  But, the real roots of the market started in the 1850’s on Court Square.  In the 1950’s Clarence Dellinger, a local organic producer, began selling produce in the parking lot of the Harrisonburg Police Station.  He later joined the organized market.

The Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market Association incorporated in the early 1990’s.  Throughout the years, the City Council, City staff, the Retail Merchants Association, the City Parking Authority, the Department of Public Works, the H/R Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Harrisonburg Renaissance and the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County have all actively supported the market.  Beginning with 4 vendors, the market has grown to include approximately 35 vendors per season, with average sales of $210,000 to $250,000 per year.