Locally grown produce and handmade crafts will return to Market Square on Saturdays when Nourish Knoxville’s Market Square Farmers’ Market relocates to its original location starting July 10, with market hours set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market, which operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, May through November, relocated to Mary Costa Plaza in 2020 when COVID-19 precautions required physical distancing in public places to reduce the spread of the virus. Wednesday markets returned to Market Square on May 5, its smaller footprint and fewer vendors making physical distancing more feasible for shoppers and sellers.
The City of Knoxville is following CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community by recommending people who haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine to wear masks at large gatherings. Nourish Knoxville will determine guidelines for market customers and vendors.
Along with the market’s return on July 10, Saturday road and on-street parking closures will also resume. Temporary no-parking zones in the area go into effect at 5 a.m. on Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets and Market Street between Clinch and Union avenues will be closed to non-vendor traffic from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Parking in the nearby Market Square, Langley, Locust and State Street garages is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weeknights.
By Thursday, July 1, the Market Square play fountains will be in operation. Also, the fenced outdoor dining areas established by the City and the Downtown Knoxville Alliance for use as expanded restaurant seating will be removed.
