Troy Waterfront Farmers Market 25th Season Starts Outdoors May 4
Street Festival Vibe Draws-in Thousands to Troy Every Saturday
TROY, N.Y. (5/3/24) — The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market (TWFM) heads outdoors for its 25th season Saturday, May 4.
“It’s incredible to think about how much our farmers market has grown over the last 25 years, from 20 vendors in a parking lot on the river to more than 100 producer-only vendors spanning six amazing city blocks,” said Melanie O'Malley, president of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. “Our focus is on providing fresh local food to the public, but when our vendors set up amidst all this beautiful architecture with all the charming shops and restaurants, it creates an exciting atmosphere that is unmatched in this region.”
A flyer produced in 2000 by Troy’s RiverSpark Visitor Center introduced the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market as a new producer-only market that promised to become “the best open-air farmers’ market in the entire region.”
Today, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is one of the most popular attractions in the Capital Region that routinely earns local "Best of" contests as well as accolades from national press. Every Saturday, May through October, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., the market transforms the heart of downtown Troy into an open-air street festival that could easily pass for a scene in Europe. On the busiest days, as many as 15,000 people visit the market to shop for fresh local produce, meats, seafood, prepared foods and handmade crafts. Couples, families, college students, and neighborhood regulars all mingle in Monument Square, and up and down River and 2nd St, milling around between the tents, sidewalk tables, and music stages.
Many stay to socialize and explore downtown’s charming shops and vibrant eateries.
Mayor’s Proclamation for Opening Day
At an 11 a.m. ceremony today in Monument Square Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello celebrated the forthcoming opening day of the 25th season of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market with a few words and a Mayor’s proclamation.
“Today is not only a great day but a historic day for Troy. For 25 seasons, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market has bolstered the city’s economy as a regional destination not only for the awesome variety of fresh locally grown produce to homemade candles, but also for the comradery,” Mayor Carmella Mantello stated. “In addition to the great shops, restaurants, and vendors along our magical waterfront, it provides a great opportunity to socialize with your friends, family, and neighbors. We are so grateful to house the best farmers market in New York, if not the best farmers market in the country!”
Sign of the Times
At the start of the ceremony, the mayor unveiled a large outdoor sign for the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market that had been previously displayed at the entrance to the parking lot where the market was first held 25 years ago. Until this morning, the sign was still hanging in the original location though the outdoor market long ago moved to Riverfront Park and then later to Monument Square.
“Our sign has finally caught up with us,” quipped Steve Ridler, manager of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market.
Ridler and TWFM President Melanie O’Malley joined the mayor to share a few remarks about the upcoming market season.
Parking
As in previous years, all streets included in the Farmers Market permit area will be posted “No Parking” from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays during the months of May through October.
There are free parking facilities around the market, including: the State Street Parking Garage (at State and River streets); Riverfront Park; the Green Island Bridge parking lots; and the Fifth Ave Garage (between Broadway and State).
Parking on the street is free. For a map of available parking, visit: https://www.troymarket.org/location
Photos & Video
To download publicity photos and videos of the outdoor farmers market, visit the following Dropbox link:
https://TroyMarket.org/mediakit
About the Market
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business organization.
The market is held outside on River Street and around Monument Square from May through October, then moves inside the Troy Atrium from November through April.
Melanie O'Malley, proprietor of O'Malley's Oven, a specialty bakery in Troy with an emphasis on gluten-free products, began her first term as market president in 2023. Troy resident Steve Ridler is market manager.
For information about vendors, parking, hours, and market policies, visit https://www.troymarket.org and follow the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on social media.