Marianna City Farmers Market Celebrates 50 Years, Begins New Chapter as Tri-County Market

By: Shelia Mader

For half a century, the Marianna City Farmers Market has been more than just a place to buy fresh vegetables. It has been a Saturday tradition, a gathering place for neighbors, and a lasting symbol of Jackson County’s agricultural roots.

Last Saturday, the market celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Spring Harvest Festival that honored its history while also looking toward the future. During the celebration, organizers officially announced the market’s new name: the Tri-State Community Market, reflecting the market’s growth beyond Jackson County and into neighboring areas of Alabama and Georgia.

One of the most meaningful moments of the celebration came when Charles Brasher, the former Jackson County extension agent who helped establish the market in 1976, returned to speak about the market “through the years.”

According to organizers, the market began in April 1976 as a modest local outlet where area growers could sell directly to the community. Brasher was instrumental in helping organize those early efforts, creating a space where local farmers could connect directly with customers and provide fresh, locally grown produce.

What started as a small seasonal market gradually grew into one of the area’s most recognized community traditions.

Over the decades, the market evolved from a simple produce stand into a year-round destination featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, plants, local honey, baked goods, jams, handmade crafts, and cottage food items. Organizers say the market now includes around 50 regular vendors, with interest continuing to grow.

Longtime market representative Sally Waxgiser reflected on the significance of the milestone, noting that for a small town to maintain a farmers market continuously for 50 years is something special.

The market’s current location at Madison Street Park also represents an important chapter in its history. In 2011, the City of Marianna acquired the property and secured grant funding through Rural Development to construct the covered pavilion that now houses the market. At that time, the Jackson County Growers Association relocated the market to the Madison Street site with the understanding that a farmers market would always remain part of the park.

Today, the market continues to emphasize locally grown and locally made products while carefully maintaining vendor standards. Organizers say vendors are encouraged to sell products they personally grow or create, preserving the authenticity that has defined the market since its beginning.

The newly adopted Tri-State Community Market name reflects how much the market has expanded over the years. Vendors now participate from Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and organizers recently broadened sourcing guidelines to allow produce grown within a 400-mile radius. That change is expected to increase seasonal variety while still keeping products fresh and regionally sourced.

The 50th anniversary celebration featured children’s activities, crafts, food vendors, community organizations, and festival events throughout the morning. Community members gathered not only to shop but also to celebrate the people who helped sustain the market across generations.

As Charles Brasher reflected on the market’s journey over the last five decades, the celebration served as a reminder that the farmers market has never simply been about produce. It has always been about community, relationships, and preserving the agricultural heritage of the region.

Now, after 50 years, the market is stepping into its next chapter with a new name, a broader reach, and the same hometown spirit that helped it thrive since 1976.