Hayden Farms Fall Market returns to Whitesville on September 18, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offering a plethora of fall and fun-filled activities. The market has grown exponentially since its conception in 2019.
The event is the brainchild of Danielle Hayden, an Oklahoma native who enjoys offering a Kentucky-themed event from an outside perspective. The festival’s humble beginnings included three vendors, 70 visitors, and chicken house tours.
“The farm operates on its own, and I wanted something that was me,” Hayden said. “I remember telling my husband Daniel, ‘just wait, you’re going to be bush hogging these pastures for parking,’ and he disagreed.”
Danielle got the last laugh because Daniel now spends the month leading up to the festival on his bush hog while she plans for upwards of 70 vendors. The vendors range from food trucks and craft beer to local artists and artisans.
“I love being able to open up our farm at this time. We have a nature trail for seeing the cattle, and Perdue is sponsoring chicken house tours,” she said. “We also have hayrides, live music, a flower patch for photos, and other photo opportunities.”
Aligning with the idea of “shopping local,” Hayden has produced a food truck lineup that boasts a range of locally sourced offerings. Brew Bridge will be on site with locally crafted beers and pork tacos, while Smoke and Flour is crafting scratch-made tortillas to pair with smoked brisket sourced from D2 meats.
Slickback Outdoors, Curbside Kitchenette, Hello Pop, DC Cattlemans, The Cottage, Ben’s Pretzels, Squeeze-e’s Lemonade, Hayes Bakes, and Doozie Doez, and Angels for Ashley will also be on site.
“When I was a kid, I always loved everything that gave you fall vibes,” Hayden said. “I wanted something fun like that here, something fun with low stress that supported locals.”
This year’s sponsors are Wright Implement, Perdue Farms, Farm Credit, South Central Bank, Hayden Electric, Kentucky Farm Bureau, and David Boswell Insurance.
Parking is $5 per car, and Hayden encourages everyone to bring cash for shopping as the area has limited wi-fi and cell service.
