Tiverton’s First Outdoor Market of the Season Has a Quahog Twist

The Tiverton Farmers Market celebrates Rhode Island’s favorite clam with 40+ vendors, family fun, and a fresh-air start to the season.

The first outdoor market of the season always feels like a reset, especially when it’s rooted in Rhode Island tradition. This May, the Tiverton Farmers Market leans all the way in, launching its outdoor season with a Quahog Themed Specialty Market that puts the Ocean State’s most iconic shellfish front and center.

Set for Sunday, May 17 from 10am-1:30pm at the Tiverton Town Farm Recreational Area, the event also marks the start of the 10th Annual Quahog Week, a statewide celebration of the beloved local clam.

Expect rows of vendors serving everything from classic stuffies to briny littlenecks and creative quahog spins you didn’t know you needed. More than 40 vendors will be on site, mixing seafood favorites with artisanal goods, so you can snack your way through the market before filling a tote with local finds. It’s the kind of place where one lap easily turns into two.

The timing couldn’t feel more Rhode Island. As Quahog Week begins, the spotlight shifts to the people and traditions behind the state’s shellfishing culture, from the harvesters who bring quahogs in year-round to the kitchens that turn them into everything from chowder to clam cakes.

Families will find plenty to love, too. The first 60 kids who arrive dressed in their best quahogger or seaside-inspired outfits will receive a giveaway bag filled with a custom coloring booklet, stickers, and local seashells. It’s a small detail, but one that adds a lot of charm and makes the day feel like more than just a market stop.

Beyond the bites, there’s a bigger pull at play. It’s not just about what you take home, it’s about the experience you leave with. Between the salt air, the buzz of local vendors, and the unmistakable sense of community, the market captures a version of Rhode Island that feels both nostalgic and very much alive. For more details, visit tivertonfarmersmarket.com.