RALEIGH, NC (April 8, 2014) – The award-winning Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market will kickoff of its fifth season, announcing new events, vendors and fun. The 2014 season welcomes new and unique local farmers and producers Fiddlehead Farm, Four Legs Barking, Spruill Bros. Pastured Meats, Strong Arm Bakery Co., and Two Chicks Farm. The Market spruced up its 2014 event line-up with new local food festivals SummerFeast and an IBMA-themed Blues Fest. Among many new event features are local breweries, food trucks, and special guest vendors. The Market will occur weekly on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm through October 29, 2014, featuring live music with a mix of returning favorites and new artists, local lunch options, and local food festivals.
The opening event welcomes downtown residents, workers, and visitors to kick off the Market’s fifth season with a classic pig pickin’ along with fun-filled festivities and an opportunity to connect with North Carolina’s highest quality growers and food artisans. Wednesday, April 30 from 10 am-2 pm at City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville Street the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market celebrates with its traditional Pig Pickin’ celebration.
The event will feature a true Eastern North Carolina pig-pickin’ from the iconic Pit BBQ serving famous authentic pulled pork sandwiches from their food truck (available for $5). The Pit has also signed as a vendor this season, adding to the Market’s delicious local lunch menu. The kickoff will include live bluegrass entertainment from The Outliers and local craft beer samples from the Warehouse District’s Crank Arm Brewing Co., a new event feature. While enjoying the barbeque, refreshments, and music, festival goers will have the opportunity connect with over 30 local farmers to shop local produce and artisan goods.
“The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market continues to serve as downtown’s community gathering place and center for fresh, local food,” said Mayor Nancy McFarlane. “We look forward to the 2014 season, bringing family-friendly fun and enhanced economic activity to our downtown.”
A press conference will be held at 12:00 pm including announcements from Thomas Skip Hill, DRA Board Chair, Dr. Ramon Rajano, Wake County Human Services, David Diaz, CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Mayor Nancy McFarlane, the City of Raleigh. The press conference will cover the new addtions to the Market, an overview of Wake County’s latest accolade, the Healthiest County in North Carolina, followed by the official bell ringing from the City of Raleigh Mayor.
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About the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market
Produced by Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market strives to be a guiding force in shaping the environmental, social, and financial health of downtown by bringing the highest quality local growers and food artisans together to the Raleigh community. The Market contributes to the sustainability and success of downtown by serving as a community gathering place, a vehicle for a regional economy, and a center for fresh, local food. The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market is made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We would also like to thank Wellness Sponsor Rex Healthcare. For more information, visit RaleighEatLocal.com.
About Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA)
DRA is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Raleigh’s downtown. The Alliance enhances the quality of life and positively impacts the economic success of downtown through five services: 1. Safety, Hospitality & Clean Ambassadors; 2. Strategic Branding & Community Communications; 3. Special Events Production & City Plaza Programming; 4. Retail Attraction & Merchant Promotions; and 5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement. For more information about DRA, please visit www.youRhere.com.