The Farmer’s Market on Block Island, held in the middle of Legion Park, has been a cherished island tradition since its founding in 1984. For over three decades, it has served as a vibrant gathering place where locals and visitors come together to celebrate the island’s unique culture. This year, the market kicks off on June 14th and will be open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 am to 11:30 am welcoming guests rain or shine.
The market offers fresh flowers, baked goods, and refreshing lemonade, along with art, photography, woodwork, jewelry, handmade crafts, and much more. With a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, artisanal cheeses, local honey, and salsa, this market is an enjoyable festival for all. Everything sold by vendors is handmade, making it an ideal spot for locals and tourists to come together and support small businesses on the island. Whether you’re picking up your weekly baked goods and produce or grabbing a refreshing “Wild Lemonade” on your way to the beach, the Farmer’s Market has something for everyone. But the fun does not stop there. Enjoy live music and a welcoming community atmosphere that celebrates local farmers, craftsmen, and artists. It is a wonderful place to connect, support, and experience the spirit of Block Island!
Jewelry by Peter Gibbons
Peter Gibbons, a year-round resident of Block Island, has been creating handmade jewelry on the island since 1975. As a child, from the age of about 5, he spent summers on Block Island with his aunt, immersing himself in the island’s vibrant community life. Eventually, he realized those blissful summers wouldn’t last forever and decided to make the island a permanent part of his life. He began crafting his jewelry and has become one of the most popular vendors at the Block Island Farmers Market.
Gibbons got his start selling silver jewelry at arts and crafts shows in Connecticut. His success there allowed him to move to the island full-time, where he began selling his pieces to local gift shops, including those at Payne’s Dock. After joining the Block Island Arts and Crafts Council, he was introduced to the farmers’ market. At first, he was skeptical. “I told them I wasn’t growing my jewelry,” he recalls, “Then someone said he was selling paintings-he wasn’t growing those either.” That’s when Gibbons realized the market wasn’t just for produce. Instead, it showcases anything grown, baked, cooked, or created on the island.
Today, he offers more than 35 ring styles, mostly in silver, with some gold options as well. He carries sizes from 1 to 15, ensuring that no customer is turned away because of sizing. While his early designs were island-themed, he has continued to expand his offerings since joining the market in 1985, always introducing new pieces to keep things fresh and exciting. Much of his business comes through word-of-mouth. In one case, he’s made jewelry for five generations of the same family. His handcrafted work includes wedding bands, rings, pendants, cuffs, earrings, and other detailed designs- art that adds to the beauty and spirit of Block Island.
Vendors of the Market
Vendors must meet two requirements to join the Block Island Farmers Market:
- They must live on the island.
- Their product must be grown, made, cooked, painted, or produced on Block Island.
This market prides itself on offering visitors locally sourced ingredients and authentic island-made creations. Running from June through Columbus Day, the market operates every Wednesday and Saturday. This gives tourists and locals alike plenty of opportunity to explore what the island has to offer.
This year, the market is looking at roughly 50 vendors, some of those include: Peter Gibbons Jewelry, 1661 Farmstead, Alex Baba Vulic Photography, Anna Mleczko (Jewelry), Apryl Karyn Designs, Block Boards, Block Island Bakes, Block Island Coffee, Block Island Greek Yogurt, Block Island’s NUTS, Block Island Salt Works, Block Island Scones, Block Island Sweaters, Block Island Tea, Chris Phelan Woodwork, Chris Warfel (Oysters), COAST Flowers, Connelli Designs, Dark Horse Flowers, Drift Mobile Spa, Eileen Keenan Quilts, Emily D’s Art, Enchanted Eats, Gram’s Mustard, Great Salt Pond Oyster Co., In a Pickle, Island Mist, JAHMU (Tumeric and Ginger Chai Tea), Jan Mckillip Designs, Julia’s Jewels Omstack, Leslie Hartnett (Artist), Littlefield Honey, Perpetua Garden, Rachel Lemoine (Jewelry), Reed Street Studio, Robin Langsdorf Photography, Ruby Kelly (Artist), Sediment, Sharon Lehman Fine Art, Southeast Light Delights, Succotash Farm, Traveling Seamstress, WhatSoup, and Wild Lemonade/Bodhi’s Bees.
If you are planning to drive over to the market, plan on parking on Center Road or Legion Way, both located adjacent to the center of the park. Plan on bringing a reusable bag to fill with any items you would like to purchase throughout the festival. Remember: the market takes place rain or shine, so be prepared to bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the weather.
Visiting the Block Island Farmers Market is more than a run-of-the-mill shopping trip, it is a taste of island life. For tourists seeking an authentic local experience, the market offers a unique chance to meet the farmers, artisans, and creators who call Block Island home. Whether you’re browsing Peter Gibbons’ handcrafted jewelry or sampling fresh island-grown food, each visit provides a personal connection to the community and its rich traditions. It is the perfect stop for anyone wanting to take home a piece of Block Island’s charm, and support its vibrant local economy.
