On Saturday, August 24th, the Great Marietta Marketplace will take place in scenic East Muskingum Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. bringing with it nearly 70 regional artists, creators, and makers to sell their wares to visitors from across the MOV community.

“The Great Marietta Marketplace this year is sponsored by Edward Jones, and it is truly an event that hits at the heart of what’s great about our local community. When individuals come out and support local makers, in a downtown with local businesses, and support the dreams and creative aspirations of local artists, that’s when our communities grow the strongest,” said Sarah Arnold, founder of Clutch MOV who has taken this event under their wing.

This year’s Marketplace welcomes nearly 70 vendors from across the states of Ohio and West Virginia, reaching as far as Fairmont and Wheeling, and Cincinnati and Cleveland and beyond. Visitors can expect home décor, homemade soaps, jewelry, and handmade accessories, paintings and photos, greeting cards, tote bags, pottery, dog treats, freshly baked goodies, and much more.

A new vendor to the Marketplace is The South Side Granola Company, owned by Marietta resident Brad Thomas. Thomas shared that this event is serving as the kick-off for the relaunch of his business, having started at the Farmers Market on Front Street in downtown Marietta a few years ago.

“The diversity of sellers and artists at this event is something really quite special to me. It serves as a ‘pop-up community’ of sorts, with the added benefit of being in an outdoor space,” said Thomas.

As in previous year’s, the Marketplace will feature a variety of local food trucks and live musicians to add to the atmosphere of the day. Featured food trucks include Elenie Souvlaki’s Greek Food, Hot Dog Willy’s, and Kona Ice. This year’s musical line-up is sponsored by West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union and includes local artists like Anthony Mossburg, the Thorny Flat Mountain Boys, and Levi Westfall.

“Last year I was taken by surprise when asked to perform at The Great Marietta Marketplace. When asked again this year there was no hesitation when I answered yes!” shared Levi Westfall, a local musician.

“It’s a wonderful event where the community comes together to showcase and vend its locally sourced and produced goods, crafts, art, and food. I can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon in my favorite town,” said Westfall.

New to this year’s Marketplace is a temporary installation wall of flowers and more, hosted by Wildroot Flower Co. and Down Country Roads, for all visitors to the Market to snap selfies with to support local on social media. Also, a handful of nonprofits will once again be included, like Marietta Main Street who is this year’s beneficiary of event proceeds.

“We appreciate the support of this event. Part of our mission with Main Street is downtown business development, and we hope a vendor at this year’s market may choose to open and brick and mortar location in downtown Marietta after seeing the great response and support for small businesses that out community has!” said Tim Glover, President of the Marietta Main Street Board of Directors.

Thanks to event sponsor Edward Jones, the first 300 shoppers to the Great Marietta Marketplace will walk away with a free bag of goodies, including exclusive discounts and gifts from businesses in downtown Marietta.

To learn more about this event and to access a full list of this year’s vendors, hop on over to the event’s webpage!
X