Copperhill Mayor Greg Barker and McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp agree that cooperation between their two cities can be beneficial to people on both sides of the river that divides them.
With a spirit of cooperation in mind, they have announced plans that are in the works for a summer-long farmers market.
The Twin Cities Farmers Market is slated to welcome the public for the first time Saturday, May 28, Arp said Saturday.
“We are going back to our roots of community gatherings, combining food and fun for Copperhill and McCaysville,” Barker said.
“Our towns offer a beauty and community spirit that are unmatched by any other area,” Barker said.
The mayors agree coming together on the historic steel bridge is the perfect location to connect that spirit. And it’s on that bridge where the Twin Cities Farmers Market will be held.
Specific details are to be worked out with the aldermen in Copperhill and council members in McCaysville. Both were expected to pass a special vendor fee to encourage participation in the farmers market.
Copperhill’s aldermen passed a resolution Monday night setting a $25 vendor fee for those operating in Copperhill for the entire 2025 season.
McCaysville was expected to pass a similar fee at the May meeting.
The mayors agreed the reduced fee was an effort to attract and support local vendors.
Barker said, “The Board of Aldermen and I am happy to partner with Mayor Arp and the council of McCaysville in generating commerce and community engagement among our twin cities.”
Arp said he is looking toward more and more cooperative activities with Copperhill. “We’re going to be in good shape working together,” he said.