‘Smiling faces’ as downtown Farmers Market opens for spring season

Story, photos and video by Adrian Hedden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SSrN1Q4vY

Paul Murray sold pickles at Carlsbad’s farmers markets for the last decade.

Murray, 59, and his wife Tracy Murray operate two local businesses, Homemade Pickles and P&T Creations, out of their Carlsbad home. They’ll sell their wares at the market for the 11th year in 2025, including custom T-shirts and cups along with vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers grown in their garden.

Murray was born in Missouri but moved to Carlsbad in 1972 when he was 6 years old, and said the market creates a sense of community for residents of his longtime hometown while also supporting local businesses.

“We’re not in it for the money. We like it for the community,” Murray said. “We have a product everyone likes. We usually sell out.”

The Murrays were on hand Thursday for the first night of this year’s Carlsbad MainStreet Downtown Farmers and Makers Market, which started earlier in the season than in the past.

The market usually begins sometime in the summer, running until fall, but Market Manager Cristina Enright, who also coordinates with vendors setting up for the event, said feedback from the participants led to the decision for a spring market.

Paul Murray (left) and his wife Tracy Murray sell pickles, custom t-shirts and other merchandise, April 3, 2025 at the Downtown Carlsbad Farmers and Makers Market.

Starting on April 3, the market will be held every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. until May 29. Then, it will switch to Saturday mornings – 9 a.m. to noon – from June 21 to Aug. 30. Starting on Sept. 4, the market will return to the Thursday evening schedule for the rest of the season until Oct. 30.

The altered schedule, Enright said, will help produce vendors avoid the sweltering summer heat that can damage crops, allowing them to display their products in the evenings and during the spring and fall when yields are higher.

The summer market, she said, was intended to focus more on crafts and the “maker” side of the market, while also avoiding peak afternoon heat, when temperatures in Carlsbad can top 100 degrees.

“We listened to a lot of vendor feedback. Quite a few of them liked the idea of starting earlier to do more produce,” Enright said. “A lot of them struggle with their crops in the summer when it gets hotter.”

Emmalee George, 4, enjoys cotton candy, April 3, 2025 at the Downtown Farmers and Makers Market in Carlsbad.

Whichever time of day or season visitors attend, Enright said, the market will bring the community together, even those not looking to spend but simply wanting to take in the vibes of downtown Carlsbad.

This year, the market will also include live music, art activities for children and food trucks, she said.

“It brings the whole community together. It supports local business, and helps the mom and pops survive,” Enright said. “It’s also something good for the family. Carlsbad is growing, but it’s just nice to have something more to do.”

Vendors offer fresh produce, crafts and other artisanal creations, April 3, 2025 at the Farmers and Makers Market in downtown Carlsbad.

Kat Davis, executive director of Carlsbad MainStreet, said the market helps draw visitors to the bourgeoning downtown area, which she hoped would see increased commerce and nightlife thanks to the farmers market and similar events all year.

“The market is a community hub within itself with a wide variety of vendors and aspiring entrepreneurs,” Davis said. “We at MainStreet love to grow that environment and see them graduate into successful businesses.”

But for Paul and Tracy Murray, it’s just a way to give back to the community and reconnect with friends and repeat customers.

“You see people you haven’t seen in years,” Paul said with a chuckle. “They come up and you see their smiling faces. We appreciate them.”