EWING, Va. — Buying local is the focus of a new market starting this Saturday at a local park. The Lee County Area Chamber of Commerce started the “Farmers and Artisans Market” to feature growers and artisans from the Tri-State region.

“It’s an opportunity for people to buy local,” said Bob Bost, Executive Director of the Chamber. “And a chance for vendors to display produce and their arts and crafts.”

The event will last all day, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing, Va. (10 miles east of Middlesboro on Highway 58), on the grassy lawn between the four-lane and the visitor’s center.

“There are 15-20 vendors, right now,” said Bost, noting that there is room for 56 vendor spaces total. He said the market is open to growers and artisans from Tennessee and Kentucky as well. Vendors can sell any crops grown locally or crafts that are hand-made in the region.

“We just want it locally grown and locally made,” said Bost.

The event will also feature live music from the musical group Washboard Trio at noon, and Lee Regional Medical Center will be setting up a tent to test people’s blood pressure throughout the day.

For more information about the market, contact the Lee Co. Area Chamber of Commerce at (276)546-2233.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.