The Portsmouth, Ohio Farmers Market is In-Season!
Fresh, Local, and Downtown: The Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom Farmers Market Brings Community to the Roy Rogers Esplanade.
Every Saturday morning from mid-May through early October, something special takes shape at the corner of Chillicothe Street and Gallia Street in Downtown Portsmouth, Ohio. Vendors set up their tables, the smell of fresh produce fills the air, and neighbors greet neighbors — all beneath the open sky of the Roy Rogers Esplanade. It’s the Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom (MSPIB) Farmers Market, and it’s become one of the most beloved community traditions in Scioto County.
A Family’s Vision for Downtown
The MSPIB Farmers Market was founded by the DeAtley Family. Laurel, Craig, and Heather DeAtley recognized the need to provide a downtown space where the region’s farms and cottage industry could share produce and wares with the community. That founding vision — rooted in the belief that a vibrant downtown should serve its people — has grown into a thriving seasonal institution that draws shoppers, families, and vendors together week after week.
Only regional farmers and cottage industry producers are permitted to sell at the market, ensuring that every purchase made at the Esplanade stays close to home and directly supports the people who grew or crafted the goods. The market features produce, meats, breads, ice cream, cheese, and honey — all grown or produced locally — with the variety of offerings shifting as the growing season progresses. Fresh cut flowers and other plants are also available.
Where to Find It and When
For 2026, the Farmers Market opens on May 16 and closes on October 3, with a pause on September 5 for Portsmouth’s River Days Festival. During the season, the market runs every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Roy Rogers Esplanade at the northeast corner of Chillicothe Street and Gallia Street in Downtown Portsmouth.
Rain or shine, the market is open — a testament to the dedication of its vendors and the loyalty of its shoppers.
More Than Just a Market
What sets the MSPIB Farmers Market apart from a simple produce stand is the weekly themes brought downtown each week. The weekly themes feature special events that promote agricultural education, art activities, and musical performances. The 2025 season offered a glimpse of just how packed the event calendar can get. Themes ranged from Honeybee & Pollinator Day and Fossil, Rock, & Mineral Day to a Back to School Bash, a Local Writers Day, and a Kickoff to Summer. Live music from performers like Steve Free and Media Vita gave the Esplanade a festive atmosphere, while community organizations connect residents with resources and programs. Visitors can expect these themed farmers markets throughout the 2026 season, with most relating to America250Ohio’s monthly themes celebrating the Semiquincentennial of the United States.
Prize Wheel Days and Community Giveaways
One of the most anticipated recurring features of the market is Market Prize Wheel Day, held on the last Saturday of each month during the season. On each Prize Wheel Day, two free raffles for $25 worth of market vouchers are offered — one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 11:00 a.m. — with participants required to be present to enter but not to win.
The Scioto County Commissioners sponsor Scioto Bucks Voucher Cards, distributing $200 worth on each Prize Wheel Day. UK King’s Daughters Medical Center and Southern Ohio Medical Center sponsor Healthy Bucks Vouchers, also distributing $200 worth for use toward produce and healthy food options. Children and seniors always receive a free spin of the Prize Wheel, and customers of vendors earn a spin with their purchases. Prizes range from tote bags and t-shirts to popcorn from Jet’s Gourmet and additional vouchers to spend at the market.
Farm to Table and Vendor Recognition
The MSPIB Farmers Market connects to a broader ecosystem of community events organized by Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom. Among them is the annual Farm to Table Dinner, a celebratory evening where locally sourced ingredients purchased from market vendors are transformed into an upscale dining experience. The open bar at the dinner features beer brewed at Portsmouth Brewing Company, Ohio’s oldest brewery, established in 1843, and floral arrangements designed by Kim Baker of KB Flower Farm grace the table settings.
The Farm to Table Dinner also serves as the occasion for the annual Farmers Market Vendor Awards, given in three categories — Craft, Produce and Open — to recognize outstanding market vendors. Once a vendor has received an award, they become ineligible to receive it again, ensuring the recognition continues to spread across the vendor community each year.
A Cornerstone of Downtown Portsmouth
The MSPIB Farmers Market is sponsored by the Scioto County Commissioners, reflecting the broader community investment in keeping downtown Portsmouth alive and thriving. Whether a first-time visitor is stopping by to pick up sweet corn and fresh bread or a longtime regular is catching up with a favorite vendor, the market offers something that goes beyond commerce — it offers connection.
For anyone looking to experience the authentic, small-town heartbeat of Portsmouth, Ohio, a Saturday morning at the Roy Rogers Esplanade is a perfect place to start. The MSPIB Farmers Market isn’t just a place to shop. It’s a place to belong.
The MSPIB Farmers Market opens for the 2026 season on May 16. Visit mspohio.org for more information about the Farmers Market. Visit explorescioto.com for more information about visiting Portsmouth-Scioto County.
