Side Track Farmer's Market

Side Track Farmer's Market pairs local selling with an open invitation for mission-driven groups to use the space for activities and outreach, giving the market a broader role than a produce stop alone. In Clay, the setting adds another layer: vendors line both sides of the old railroad side track on the original site of the old Cigarville Train Station, next to Clay Historical Park on Route 31. The result is a market shaped by place as much as by product, where shopping, eating, and walking happen on ground tied to the town's older commercial corridor.

Why it matters locally

The old side track is central to this market's identity: for years it delivered grain and supplies to the mill and hardware store, and the market now uses that same corridor as its layout. That link between present-day vendors and Clay's working landscape gives the market a distinctly local frame.

Its purpose is also local in a practical sense. Side Track Farmer's Market describes itself as a gathering place for local farmers, crafters, and customers, and it sits next to Clay Historical Park on Route 31 for a visible, convenient setup. The market also makes room for community participation and education, with materials and seating available for organizations proposing mission-based activities. On the vendor side, farmers and producers committing to more than five weeks can have fees sponsored by a brewery partner, a detail that points to an effort to keep regular participation viable.

What you'll find there

The mix here stretches beyond farm stands into prepared food, drinks, crafts, history, and live performance, all within the same Route 31 site. That makes the market feel more like a corridor of small local sellers and makers than a single-category stop.

• -Find farm goods from Abbott Farms.
• -Pick up garden items from Maria’s Garden Treats.
• -Browse produce or farm offerings from Godfrey’s Last Stand.
• -Shop Hahn Farms for farm products.
• -Choose locally raised beef, pork, chicken, and lamb from Bishop Farms.
• -Look for honey and hive products.
• -Meet Jacob the Beekeeper for bee-related goods.
• -Grab baked sweets from Cookie Royale.
• -See heirloom pieces at Retro Joe’s Heirloom Furniture.
• -Browse Claire’s Treasures for giftable finds.
• -Shop handmade items from Ginger’s House of Crafts.
• -Add jewelry from Jewel Effect.
• -Stop by Local Participation and Community Education.
• -Visit the Clay Historical Association at the market.
• -Expect New York State craft beer, wine, and/or distillery vendors.
• -Pour a bottle from Thousand Islands Winery.
• -Pick up beer from Chatham Brewing.
• -Find maple syrup products, including Dutch Hill Maple.
• -Plan on food trucks, including The Flying Camel.
• -Catch another ready-to-eat option at Flatbed Grill.
• -Shop soaps, candles, and lotions.
• -Listen for musicians, buskers, and performers, including James Shaffer Music.

The Seasonal Outdoor Market runs every Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm between June 23 and October 28.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which may change plans if you're used to bringing one along on a market walk. Parking is managed by the market manager on the east side of the building, and vendors are limited to one vehicle that must fit within an assigned 16-by-17-foot space; additional vehicles have to be removed from the premises. The market is at 4975 State Route 31 and sits next to Clay Historical Park on the old side track site, so the historic setting is part of the layout rather than a separate destination. The market also notes no restrooms on site.