By: Riley Click
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – On Saturday mornings in Fayetteville, the downtown square comes alive. Shoppers crowd around tables of fresh produce and flowers, musicians play on the corner, and University of Arkansas students mingle with locals in what has become a weekly tradition. The Fayetteville Farmers Market, a Northwest Arkansas tradition since 1973, has long been a gathering place for the community. But in recent years, University of Arkansas students have helped breathe new energy into the square, turning weekend trips downtown into a tradition of their own.
For many students, the market has become part of the Fayetteville experience. “The market just feels so special because the whole town comes together, small businesses thrive, and you get to pet the dogs people bring,” said Danielle Hamming, a University of Arkansas student.
The market operates year-round, moving indoors from January through March before returning to the square in the spring. Hours include Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the year, plus Tuesdays and Thursdays from May through September from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The consistent schedule makes it easy for students and locals alike to make the market part of their weekly routine.
Beyond shopping in person, customers can also place online orders through the Fayetteville Farmers Market Locally Grown website. Orders open Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. and close Wednesday mornings at 6 a.m. SNAP customers can pay at pickup and receive Double Your Dollar matching benefits when available, another way the market works to keep access open to the community.
This fall, seasonal events aim to keep that same energy alive. The Flavors of Fall celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, featuring a local chef demonstration and pumpkin painting. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, Sunset on the Square will bring vendors back for an evening market from 4 to 8 p.m. In November, the market will host a Sourdough Festival, followed by Holiday Markets on Nov. 22, Dec. 6, 13, and 20. For many students, those events aren’t just shopping opportunities, but they’re part of what makes the Fayetteville experience feel like home.