Thanksgiving market this Saturday in Ocean Pines

(Nov. 16, 2020) The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market will hold its annual Thanksgiving Market this Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in White Horse Park.  

Those planning to cook up a Thanksgiving feast will find fresh produce, meats, baked goods and more, and Market Manager David Bean said many community groups and nonprofits also attend the celebration. 

“Shoppers should expect to find almost everything for their holiday meal,” Bean said. “The green market merchants will offer a bountiful selection of sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, humanely raised beef, pork and chicken, and handcrafted pies, pastries and breads. In addition, pantry items like spices, seasoning, olive oils, jams, jellies, marinated olives, and a variety of pickles are offered by our many gourmet merchants.” 

Bean said the market would feature locally produced spirits from Lyon Rum and Buzz Meadery, along with locally roasted coffee from Revell Roasters and Ethne Coffee Roasters. For those looking for snacking options, Cropper’s Farm will have a selection of toffees and brittles, and popcorn will be available from Eastern Shore Kettle Korn.  

The marketplace will also display its fresh, just-cut Christmas tree, Bean said.  

“The 12-foot tree grown by Stag Run Farm will be decorated with hundreds of colorful lights for the holiday season,” he said. 

For the last-minute shoppers preparing a holiday meal, a special mini pop-up farmers market is scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon, when select merchants will be on hand for customers to pick up special orders. 

“Our Tuesday pop-up market was founded several years ago, when primarily our bakers wished to deliver their special-ordered items to their customers, at the peak of freshness for the holiday,” Bean said. “Several other merchants participate with last-minute items, as a convenience to shoppers.” 

Participating in the pop-up this year are D. J. David & Company, Gourmet Soutionz, Toute de Suite, Pies Etcetera, Cropper’s Farm, Brightman Farm, Lyon Rum, and Rainbow’s End Tack Shop. 

Throughout the holiday season, Bean said the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market would highlight unique gift items, along with the usual variety of fresh produce and baked goods.  

For example, he said Synder's Firewood will sell fresh holiday greens, wreaths and pine roping, and bundles of firewood, while Longridge Gardens will have dried florals, magnolia wreaths, and forced holiday bulbs.    

“The market's artisans will have lots of holiday decor and local handmade gifts to put under the Christmas tree,” Bean said. “Shoppers will find handmade jewelry, accessories, fashions, candles, country signs, pottery, paintings, photography and more.” 

Starting on Nov. 28, Jackie Blue Crabs will join the market lineup and offer a variety of seafood, including live crabs. 

Bean said the farmers market has endured during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its vendors continue to follow safety protocols. The State of Maryland included farmers markets in the list of essential services and allowed them to remain open.  

“While the pandemic has placed many of the market's extra social activities on hold, it has also introduced a lot of new people to the marketplace, and many are finding the open-air shopping format a safer environment,” Bean said.  

The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market is held each Saturday in White Horse Park, near the Ocean Pines Community Center on 235 Ocean Parkway. Winter hours, through March, are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

For more information, visit www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/farmers-artisans-market.