In 1999, local farmers recognized the need for a Saturday market in Watertown to cater to busy families and Fort Drum Soldiers. They wanted a place that was easily accessible where families could easily and quickly buy what they need for the week. A new cooperative association — a market run by farmers — was born. The market began first at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds with growers selling from the back of vehicles in the parking lot. The market quickly grew. In 2018, the market moved to its existing location, the Butler Pavilion on Black River Parkway, between Public Square and the Riverwalk. Today, the Watertown Saturday Farmers Market provides an essential service in downtown Watertown, connecting consumers directly with local farmers. Our handicapped accessible location provides fresh food to inner-city residents and nearby seniors living in public housing. It is not unusual to see visitors in wheelchairs or using walkers. Our location in the J. B. Wise place parking lot provides ample parking for busy families who need to buy their groceries and run. We pride ourselves on providing the finest foods produced in the four-county area in a friendly and safe atmosphere. Come visit us. You’ll be glad you did.

At the Watertown Saturday Farmers Market, we pride ourselves on offering the freshest, highest quality farm products in the area. From juicy tomatoes to savory cuts of meat to fresh bread, we've got everything you need for a delicious and healthy meal — all locally produced. Our sellers grow what they sell, ensuring that you get the best possible quality. Look for our 2025 market opening in May. Hours will remain 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Maria Pilar-Matiz, one of the founders of our market, selling fresh vegetables at the pavilion.

We believe in seasonal and local foods. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer farmers markets follow this philosophy. An increasing number of farmers markets in the North Country allow resellers to bring in peaches from Georgia, greenhouse tomatoes from Canada, or iceberg lettuce from California — promoting the perception that these items are local when they are not. We don’t believe our buyers are looking for products identical to those found in local supermarkets. Instead, we believe in our local family farms. We are one of the few remaining farmers markets in the four-county region to ban raw farm products grown in other states. Farm products sold at the Saturday market must be produced or grown in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, or St. Lawrence Counties. We encourage our value-added producers and hot food vendors to use local ingredients as much as possible. This requirement ensures that your food dollars stay local — while providing you with the freshest and most nutritionally dense foods possible. Buying locals helps support our economy, is environmentally friendly (due to reduced transportation costs), and helps preserve local farmlands.