Cookeville’s inaugural “Made Here Market” set for a week from tomorrow
The maker movement is alive and well in the Upper Cumberland region.
A week from tomorrow, The Biz Foundry in Cookeville is joining with a group of other local organizations to hold the area’s first-ever “Made Here Market.” The celebration of local makers and businesses is free to the public and takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 27 along Cedar Avenue in Cookeville.
“We have 50 vendors participating,” according to Jeff Brown, The Biz Foundry’s President, who added that 105 vendors applied.
Other partners in the inaugural event are the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation, WCTE, StoneCom Media, and several community partners.
In a recent announcement, The Biz Foundry touted “Made Here Market” as “the perfect weekend activity for locals this spring, offering a chance to interact with the actual artists and makers behind some of fantastic products available right here in the Upper Cumberland. Every product available for purchase at The Market is made locally – from candles to hand-printed fabric to ballpoint pens, or even armchairs.”
Artists will offer live demos inside The Biz Foundry’s event space, and local food trucks will showcase their fare. There will be special activities for children and also performances by local musicians throughout the day.
Haley Smith, a student at Tennessee Tech University, has designed a special “Made Here Market” tote bag commemorating the event. It will be for sale for $10 and is a key component of a scavenger hunt with the winner receiving a basket of products from area entrepreneurs valued at over $800.
“This really started as a simple idea after one of our Etsy workshops, but has grown into something truly amazing,” Brown said. “Our team and partners have done a fantastic job. And I cannot believe the amount of support the Market has already gotten from the community – we are blown away!”
