CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee. – The best place to live in America now has the “#1 Market in America.”
The Clarksville Downtown Market presented by CDE Lightband was crowned the overall “People’s Choice” winner and earned the $1,000 first prize after months of voting in the American Farmland Trust’s 12th Annual Farmers Market Celebration. Chartered in 1980, the American Farmland Trust focuses on protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.
The Clarksville Downtown Market, coordinated by the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department, began in 2010 and has grown in popularity each year. Saturday mornings from May through September, thousands of citizens visit the market to purchase food, handmade crafts, and other goods from over 80 vendors. All items are 100 percent locally grown and produced.
The contest required the public to visit the American Farmland Trust website and place a vote for their favorite market in America. More than 1,200 markets were entered into the contest and voting was close until the end. Charlottesville, Va., placed second and Boise, Idaho, finished third. It was another big win for Clarksville, which also was named Best Place to Live in America by Money.com in 2019.
Trey Stroud, the Clarksville Downtown Market Manager, and Maria Caruso, the assistant manager, had their eyes on the prize from the beginning.
“We’ve always known how great our vendors and market are, but this only confirms that,” Stroud said. “We want to thank everyone who got behind us and made it happen.”
The $1,000 prize will go directly to improving the market next year.
Jennifer Letourneau, Clarksville Parks & Recreation Director, said winning the contest was a team effort -- just like the market itself. “Clarksville Parks & Recreation is proud to play a part in the success of the Downtown Market. From marketing to maintenance, our entire staff pitches in to make it the best place to be on a Saturday morning.”
This year’s final Clarksville Downtown Market is Saturday, Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall and Public Square.
About Clarksville Parks & Recreation
Clarksville Parks & Recreation provides a variety of indoor and outdoor programs, facilities, nature activities and entertainment events for people living in the Montgomery County and Fort Campbell area. These free or reasonably priced, year-round experiences help residents enhance their health, wellness, and social engagement—resulting in a stronger, better community.
Vendors, patrons and Clarksville Parks & Recreation have combined to make the Clarksville Downtown Market the ‘#1 Market in America.’