If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that slow-moving traffic on Route 13 during a Friday afternoon in July, you know Pulaski isn't just a sleepy fishing village. Most people associate this corner of Oswego County with massive Chinook salmon and the chaotic energy of the fall run. But there is this window of time—basically June through September—where the real action isn't in the river. It’s in the grass. Specifically, the grass at the Pulaski NY farmers market.
It’s small.
Honestly, if you’re expecting the sprawling, concrete-laden experience of the Central New York Regional Market in Syracuse, you’re going to be disappointed. This isn’t that. This is a North Country gathering that feels like a backyard party where everyone happens to be selling world-class corn and handmade soap. It’s held at the South Park, right across from the library, and it basically serves as the town’s living room for a few hours every week.
Getting the timing right at the Pulaski NY farmers market
Timing is everything here. The market typically runs on Fridays, starting in early June and stretching into the tail end of September. It usually kicks off around 10:00 AM and wraps up by 2:00 PM.
Think about that for a second.
Most farmers markets bank on the Saturday morning crowd, but Pulaski leans into the Friday "early weekend" vibe. It caters to the locals finishing their errands and the tourists who just rolled into town to set up camp at Selkirk Shores or one of the private parks along the lake. If you show up at 1:45 PM, you’re basically looking at empty crates and the lingering scent of kettle corn. The good stuff—the heavy hitters like snap peas in June or those deep purple heirloom tomatoes in August—is usually gone by noon.
✨ Don't miss: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
You’ve got to be early. It’s just how it works in a town where people wake up at 4:00 AM to hit the water.
What the vendors are actually bringing to the table
You aren't just getting generic produce. Because of the unique microclimate near Lake Ontario, the growing season here is a bit of a gamble, but when it hits, it hits hard. You’ll see local staples like Hudson’s Dairy products sometimes making appearances in the area, or specialty honey producers from just down the road in Mexico or Parish.
The variety is what surprises people. One minute you’re looking at a pile of dusty, dirt-covered potatoes that look like they were pulled out of the ground twenty minutes ago (because they probably were), and the next, you’re browsing hand-carved fishing lures or crocheted hats. It’s a weird, beautiful mix of "I need dinner ingredients" and "I need a birthday gift for my aunt."
- Fresh Greens: Spinach and kale that haven't been sitting in a plastic bag for three days.
- Seasonal Berries: Strawberries in June, blueberries in July, and the heavy-duty blackberries in August.
- Baked Goods: There is almost always someone selling pies or cookies that taste like a grandmother’s kitchen, not a factory.
- Artisan Crafts: Woodworking is huge here. You’ll find bowls, cutting boards, and sometimes Adirondack-style furniture.
The Salmon River factor and local economics
We have to talk about the money. Pulaski is a seasonal economy. The "Salmon River" brand is global, drawing people from Europe and Asia every autumn, but the farmers market is the lifeline for the permanent residents during the "off-season." When you spend ten bucks on a jar of local maple syrup at the Pulaski NY farmers market, that money doesn't disappear into a corporate ledger. It stays in Oswego County.
It funds the next planting. It pays for the tractor parts.
🔗 Read more: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs: What Really Happened and Why You Shouldn’t Panic
There’s a nuance to the pricing here too. Some people complain that farmers markets are "expensive." Kinda? Maybe? But compare a grocery store tomato—bred for transport and toughness, tasting like wet cardboard—to a Sun Sugar cherry tomato from a local farm. There is no comparison. You're paying for the fact that the fruit actually ripened on a vine, not in the back of a semi-truck.
Also, many vendors here accept FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) coupons. This is huge for the community. It ensures that seniors and families on WIC have access to the same high-quality nutrition as the tourists staying in the high-end fishing lodges. It bridges a gap that a lot of people don't even realize exists in rural New York.
Why the location is more than just a park
South Park is the heart of the village. It’s right there on Jefferson Street. While you're at the market, you can hear the roar of the dam if the wind is right. You have the historic Pulaski Public Library right there, which is worth a visit just for the architecture.
It’s walkable.
That’s a rare thing in upstate New York once you get outside the big cities. You can park the car, hit the market, grab a coffee at a local spot like The LDG (Lake District Grill) or one of the pizza joints, and actually feel like you’re part of a community. It’s a stark contrast to the hectic, frantic energy of the fishing season in October when everyone is shoulder-to-shoulder in the river. The farmers market is when Pulaski breathes. It’s when the town belongs to the people who live there.
💡 You might also like: The Gospel of Matthew: What Most People Get Wrong About the First Book of the New Testament
Common misconceptions about the North Country market scene
People often think these markets are only for "organic" enthusiasts or people with a lot of disposable income. That’s just not true here. The Pulaski NY farmers market is remarkably unpretentious. You’ll see guys in muddy work boots standing in line behind someone in a summer dress.
Another myth? That it’s only about food.
I’ve seen people selling hand-poured candles, goat milk soap that actually clears up eczema, and even local authors signing books. It’s more of a boutique street fair that happens to have incredible corn. And let’s be real—the corn in this part of the state is legendary. The soil in the Tug Hill transition zone does something to the sugar content that makes grocery store "sweet corn" look like livestock feed.
Making the most of your visit
If you’re planning a trip, don’t just wing it. Bring a cooler. If you’re traveling back toward Syracuse or up to Watertown, the heat in your trunk will kill those delicate greens in thirty minutes.
- Cash is still king. While more vendors are using Square or Venmo, cell service can be spotty when the town is crowded, and physical bills are always faster.
- Talk to the farmers. Ask them what’s coming in next week. They’ll tell you if the frost messed up the peaches or if the peppers are going to be late.
- Check the weather. It’s an outdoor market. If it’s pouring, some vendors might pack up early, though the die-hards usually stick it out under their pop-up tents.
- Bring your own bags. It’s better for the environment, and the handles on those thin plastic bags will snap under the weight of a half-bushel of apples.
The Pulaski NY farmers market isn't just a place to shop; it's a weekly pulse check for the region. It’s where you find out who’s doing well, what the harvest looks like, and why this specific part of New York is so much more than just a place to catch a fish.
To get the best experience, start your Friday at the market around 10:30 AM to beat the lunch rush. Pick up a bag of seasonal fruit and some local cheese, then head five minutes north to Selkirk Shores State Park for a picnic by the lake. This allows you to support local growers while enjoying the actual landscape that produced the food. If you're looking for specific vendor lineups, checking the "Pulaski/Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce" social media pages a day or two before is the most reliable way to see who is showing up that week.