The local Old Order Mennonites add a unique flavor to the St. Jacob’s market, where you’ll see horse teams pull buggies loaded with goods for sale and driven by men, women and children dressed in the same style of apparel that their ancestors wore hundreds of years ago.

The famous St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and Flea Market runs throughout the year on Thursdays and Saturdays early morning to mid afternoon. On Tuesdays from June to Labor Day, enjoy fresh produce from local Mennonite farmers, including fresh maple syrup, and farmers throughout Ontario.

During the peak season, the market carries more than 600 vendors (most of the vendors are not Old Order Mennonites), indoors and out. You’ll see a large variety of local made:

• Crafts
• Baking
• Meats
• Cheeses
• Furniture
• Quilts
• Clothes
• And more

There’s more than just shopping at this market: live buskers (street performers) and entertainment are there for all to enjoy in the carnival-like atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy tours that are available from the market.

Find this fun attraction by going to Farmers Market Road in the nearby town of St. Jacobs (about a 15 minute drive). This is not just another farmers market - it is an experience. The Mennonites settled in and around St. Jacobs in the late 1700s and early 1800s becoming one of the original Mennonite colonies.

Today, the rural areas around St. Jacobs are populated with many Old Order Mennonite families. These farmers practice the religion, customs and lifestyle of their 19th century ancestors supporting themselves with a lifestyle devoid of modern technology.

There are varying degrees of conservatism among different sects ranging from no machinery use whatsoever to the use of certain machines to assist in certain chores. There are sometimes subtle differences between groups such as allowing carriages with metal decoration as opposed to plain carriages.