Covington’s Farmer’s Market: N. Columbia St. Saturdays 8 am- 12 pm

(There is also a market at the Covington trailhead on Wednesdays.) Street parking.

I love the location of the market in Covington. Lots of shade and cypress stumps, an incredibly beautiful cemetery across the street, and a gazebo slightly overtaken with ivy, all lend to a breezy, laid-back atmosphere perfect for a slow Saturday wake-up. I like to grab a cup of Coffee Rani coffee for $1 at the main stand where the t-shirts are sold and make a round to try samples and see what is available. The first stop is for honey to sweeten up my coffee at the Blood River Honey table. I keep a bottle at home and one at work for tea. Then, for a little sweet bite, I usually find something different every time I stop by the Bear Creek Road tent. It is ALL good and pairs well with the before-mentioned coffee. Their presentation is adorable, and the flavors are intense.

As I circumnavigate the market, I take in the music and watch people dance or sit at the tables enjoying the day. People watching is always on the agenda. I smell some of the homemade soaps and lotions. I walk by where the tree saplings and other small plants are for sale and read all the names of the ones that interest me. I say hello to the weekly resident rooster, whom I haven’t been formally introduced to yet, and then I stop to smell the herbs. Did you know there are multiple types of mint? I picked up an orange mint, chocolate mint, and regular mint, and they are all still alive weeks later.

Highlights: Lovely, friendly setting with live music. A great sensory experience. Lots of farm-fresh foods and herbs and things to try.
Where I regularly buy jelly (Muscadine or Mayhaw) and local honey. Check out the Spice Lady tent for some cayenne-infused dark chocolate for a unique experience and sample the different spices.
Tips: Watch where you walk, and I wouldn’t recommend heels. You’ll be walking on dirt and grass. And I wasn’t kidding about the cypress stumps. A very small number of vendors may take credit cards, but I would plan on using cash.
You can find more info on their website here .