Join the celebration: St. George Downtown Farmers Market throws anniversary bash this weekend

ST. GEORGE — Mark your calendars. The Downtown Farmers Market is throwing a spectacular second-anniversary celebration at Vernon Worthen Park, packed with excitement and activities for all ages.

L-R: St. George Downtown Farmers Market Owner Kat Puzey and Market Manager Ashley Tiller pose for a photo during the Downtown Market in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Ashley Tiller, St. George News

“This is a celebration of local,” Downtown Market owner Kat Puzey said. “It’s a really great time to come together. To just go someplace and totally feel community and connected and to recognize that these are our neighbors, and this is our community and at the core, we’re all just good people who want to support local and love living here. It’s the kind of thing that everybody needs and what we should be focusing on.”

The anniversary event will take place on Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon. Expect a lively array of activities, mouthwatering food and a diverse lineup of vendors offering everything from fresh produce to artisan crafts. Whether you’re looking for unique jewelry, homemade dog treats or simply a fun day out with the family, the anniversary event has it all.

Get ready for a lively start to the festivities as Mayor Michele Randall takes the stage to kick off the event at 8 a.m. Following the mayor’s speech, prepare to stretch and unwind with a free yoga session hosted by Zion Yoga Fest, happening from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Barbecue By Joe will fire up the grills with cooking demonstrations at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., while Sandtown Pizza will showcase their pizza-making skills with demos at 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Throughout the event, enjoy free face painting by Cactus Flower Face Painting and watch painted art come to life with Ashley Graf. Kids can explore fun activities with the St. George Dinosaur Museum and the Utah Tech organization Arts and Action, creating a day full of creativity and excitement for all ages.

A child enjoys face painting during the Downtown Farmers Market in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Ashley Tiller, St. George News

The anniversary event also marks the start of National Farmers Market Week, a celebration created to honor and support farmers markets. This observance emerged after the pandemic and highlighted how essential farmers markets became when traditional grocery systems faltered, offering crucial support to both communities and local farmers.

“People needed access to local food and it’s one of the only places where you can get it consistently from local farmers,” Puzey said. “It’s about supporting locals that are growing their food and creating a more sustainable food chain.”

The St. George Downtown Farmers Market proudly accepts SNAP and EBT benefits, making fresh, local produce accessible to everyone in the community.

As the market celebrates its second year at Vernon Worthen Park, Market Manager Ashley Tiller shared that this year has been more seamless than the first. The arrangement to pay the city for the use of the park has contributed to a smoother operation.

“This year, it’s just been really crazy because it’s settling into a routine,” Puzey said. “But mostly, it’s felt wild to feel comfortable and just watch it grow.”

Puzey recalls when the market began with fewer than 20 vendors at Ancestor Square and has since watched it grow to consistently feature 80 vendors each week. She takes great pride in seeing it evolve into the vibrant marketplace she always knew it could be.

A couple enjoys the Downtown Farmers Market in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Ashley Tiller, St. George News

The highlight? Seeing families come back every week for their regular outing and witnessing businesses grow and thrive beyond their founders’ wildest dreams.

Take Sandtown Pizza, for example. It all began as Backdoor Pizzeria with a humble pop-up in owner Chris Tamplin’s backyard. From there, it evolved through foodie roundups at MoFACO, a tent at the downtown farmers market and is now on the verge of opening its very own restaurant.

They’ve watched many food businesses transform from simply bringing samples and asking if selling their food was a good idea to thriving at a market booth and eventually launching their own food trucks or brick-and-mortar stores.

“We just feel like it’s magic to be a part of those stories,” Puzey said. “And it’s for this event that we are so passionate about, that we show up for and fight for and love and enjoy.”

Puzey has been an integral part of the St. George Downtown Farmers Market for eight years, while Tiller is embarking on her third year with the market.

“It’s been a wild ride,” Tiller said. “But I have learned so much and I’m grateful that Kat saw what I wanted to put back into the community. Because I have always been 100% about supporting local and small businesses.”

Tiller met Puzey when she was 30 — a time when finding a best friend is rare. There was an immediate connection with Puzey, who shared Tiller’s passion for supporting local businesses, and she said she admired Puzey’s dedication to the cause.

Visitors shop vendors during the St. George Downtown Farmers Market in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Ashley Tiller, St. George News

“I not only met an amazing business partner who gets it and we work so well together, but I met a best friend I now consider family. I’m just so grateful we get to do what we both love every single day. I couldn’t ask for a better dream we’re making come true.”

The St. George Downtown Farmers Market redeems SNAP and EBT benefits. Because all items are homemade and produced by local vendors, all market items are final sale.

For more details about the St. George Downtown Farmers Market, visit their website. Stay updated and join the fun by following them on Instagram and Facebook. 

Event details

What: St. George Downtown Farmers Market Vernon Worthen 2nd Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 E., St. George
Admission: free
For more information, see the event page

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