Prepare for Independence Day by shopping locally

Amelia Island has been under the rule of eight different flags. That is a lot of Independence Day holidays to celebrate each year, so it is a good thing we stick to just the one: the Fourth of July. A day where the community comes together for fireworks, cookouts, beach outings and more! What better way to prepare than to shop locally at the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market? Or, if your celebrations have you hanging out in Yulee, check out our sister market, the Wildlight Market Place.

Both markets will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Plan on picking up beef or pork from healthy and humanely raised cattle and pigs from JD Beef in Fernandina, or Hodges Homegrown at the Wildlight market. You won't find hormones or antibiotics in these meats. These ranchers are committed to raising sustainable, natural beef cattle and pasteurized pigs. You will find chuck roast, ground beef, short ribs and a variety of steaks. Pork products include chops, ground, sausage, spare ribs and more.

You will find Ferra Bakery, King of all Guacamole, Mike's Beef Jerky and Red Flag Hot Sauce in both markets. Ferra Bakery offers sour dough bread, cannoli, spanakopita, focaccia, cinnamon rolls with and without powdered sugar and so much more. King of All Guacamole makes guacamole on-site, at the market, from fresh avocados. Stop by and watch them stir up this delicious dip to see the entire recipe. They also serve pineapple and tomato salsa, shrimp and mango salad and ceviche. Mike's Beef Jerky is tasty, top quality dehydrated beef in mild, black pepper and hot flavors. Red Flag Hot Sauce has an amazing selection of bottle hot sauces concocted by Chef Jason. Ranging in heat from mild to extremely hot, my favorite flavor to add to an all-American hot dog or a classic potato salad recipe would be his Max Power. This is a wheat beer mustard with habaneros, brown sugar, orange and juniper. This will also crank your sandwiches and brats to the Max Power!

Other vendors at both markets will include seasonal produce, soy candles, home-made soaps and body lotions, sweet desserts, vegan dishes and more. In Fernandina Beach, you will find wild-caught shrimp, African Love Kitchen, Chef Bill from Amelia Island Culinary School, landscaping plants, baskets, herbs, flowing baskets and beautifully arranged air plant terrariums from Sea Shore Terrariums. The Fernandina Beach Market Place is located on North Seventh Street, in historic downtown.

At Wildlight, you will find a variety of arts and craft booths, too. There will be paintings in acrylic and watercolors. Fine and whimsical jewelry, wreaths, woodworking, glassworks, apparel, quilts and much more will be set up for your shopping pleasure. The Wildlight Market Place is located at 123 Tinker Street, near I-95. Both markets welcome your well-behaved, leashed pets.