Cowtown Farmers Market in Pilesgrove, NJ: Hours and Visitor Guide (2026)
Cowtown Farmers Market is a year-round farmers market and flea market in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, on Route 40 (Harding Highway) in Salem County. It is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm, with both indoor and outdoor shopping, and local media describe about 400 vendors. It sits next to the Cowtown Rodeo, which gives the market a personality you will not find at most farmers markets.
This guide covers the market's address and hours, what you will find there, how the rodeo fits into a visit and a few tips for first-time visitors. Details can change, so confirm hours before you travel. Some websites list other opening days, and the sources we trust agree on Tuesday and Saturday.
Cowtown Farmers Market at a Glance
Quick facts about the market in Pilesgrove, NJ.
The market is at 780 Harding Highway (Route 40), Pilesgrove, NJ 08098, and you can call it at 856-769-3000, according to a Salem County culture page. A South Jersey magazine and New Jersey Isn't Boring's winter market guide both list Tuesday and Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm, and the market is described as open year-round.
What Is Cowtown Farmers Market?
The market is a hybrid. It is part farmers market, with produce and food vendors, and part flea market, with antiques, collectibles and household goods. A Salem County culture page describes it as a year-round indoor and outdoor farmers market and flea market, with jewelers and vendors of food, apparel, electronics, flowers, housewares, pet supplies, hunting gear, memorabilia and tools.
New Jersey 101.5 says there are over 400 vendors, both indoors and outdoors. It also notes that the market is open all year, rain or shine. Local histories connect the market to the Cowtown Rodeo, and the market grew out of a livestock auction in the 1920s.
A Short History
According to NJ 101.5, the site began in 1926 as a livestock auction. An Arcadia Publishing history of the Cowtown Rodeo describes Amos Howard "Stoney" Harris auctioning automobiles in a livestock town in the 1920s, and a 1986 Sports Illustrated profile credits Harris with building an auction barn and a large indoor flea market that he called Cowtown. The Cowtown Rodeo itself started in 1929, according to Wikipedia.
The exact founding dates vary by source, so treat the "since the 1920s" description as a safe summary.
What You Will Find at the Market
What you can find at the market, based on local descriptions.
Local sources describe a wide mix. You can expect:
- Fresh produce. Fruit and vegetable vendors sell seasonal items, and a South Jersey magazine lists the market as a place to find Jersey tomatoes in season.
- Food and baked goods. Snacks, baked goods and homemade items are sold alongside the produce.
- Antiques and collectibles. Memorabilia, jewelry and used goods give the flea market side its character.
- Household goods and tools. There are housewares, pet supplies, hunting gear and tools.
- Clothing and electronics. Apparel and electronics vendors are also listed.
- Flowers and plants. Floral vendors appear in the county's description.
Inventory changes every week, so treat the list as an overview, not a guarantee.
Cowtown Rodeo Next Door
The market sits on the Cowtown Rodeo grounds. The Cowtown Rodeo is described as one of the country's longest-running weekly rodeos, with performances traditionally held on Saturday nights in the summer season. One news article advised buying tickets online in advance and arriving around 5:30 pm for big events, and said parking is free and the lot is large.
If you plan to see the rodeo, check the season dates and the show schedule before you go. The market closes around 4 pm on Saturdays, so you can spend the day shopping and return in the evening for the show.
Sample Saturday Plan
A sample Saturday at Cowtown, with the market by day and the rodeo by night in season.
Arrive when the market opens at 8 am for the best selection. Walk the outdoor rows first while the weather is cool, then move indoors if it gets hot or rainy. Eat lunch from the food vendors, and wrap up by 4 pm. If the rodeo is in season, you can come back in the evening.
The New Marketplace at Cowtown
A separate, newer retail space called the Marketplace at Cowtown opened across Harding Highway from the rodeo, according to a February 2026 report from 42 Freeway. The report says it is open seven days a week, with posted hours of 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays, and that a brewery has opened there. This is separate from the Tuesday and Saturday farmers market, so check both schedules if you plan a long day.
Tips for Visiting
Six tips for visiting the market.
- Check the days. The market runs Tuesday and Saturday, so ignore any site that lists other days.
- Arrive early. Early shoppers get the best choice of vendors and the coolest weather.
- Bring cash and shopping bags. Payment methods vary by vendor, and you will be carrying your purchases.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The grounds are large, with indoor and outdoor areas to walk.
- Dress for the weather. Part of the market is outdoors, so check the forecast.
- Plan around the rodeo. Parking is free and the lot is large, but tickets for the show are best bought ahead.
Where to Stop Nearby
Cowtown is on Route 40, which crosses South Jersey toward the Delaware River. Edible Jersey's Route 40 road trip lists Four Seasons Donuts in Pennsville and Coffee Lovers' Café in Penns Grove, both in towns along Route 40 to the west of the market. They make good breakfast stops if you are driving in from that direction.
If you are building a larger New Jersey or Northeast trip, see our guides to the best things to do in New York City and the best things to do in the USA for a family vacation. Families in New Jersey may also like our guide to the best indoor amusement parks in the US, which includes iPlay America in Freehold. You can also browse all of our USA travel guides.
What days is Cowtown Farmers Market open?
It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm, year-round, according to several local sources. Some websites list other days, so call the market at 856-769-3000 to confirm.
Where is the market located?
It is at 780 Harding Highway (Route 40), Pilesgrove, NJ 08098, in Salem County.
Is it indoors or outdoors?
Both. It has indoor halls and outdoor rows of vendors, and it stays open all year in all kinds of weather.
How many vendors are there?
New Jersey 101.5 and other local sources say there are about 400 or more vendors, though the number can vary by day and season.
Is parking free at Cowtown?
A local newspaper reported that parking is free and the lot is large, at least during rodeo events. Confirm parking rules before you go.
Is Cowtown a farmers market or a flea market?
It is both. It has produce and food vendors, as well as flea market sellers with antiques, collectibles, tools and household goods.
Is the Cowtown Rodeo at the same location?
Yes. The market is held on the Cowtown Rodeo grounds. The rodeo traditionally runs on Saturday nights during the summer season, so check the schedule and buy tickets ahead.
What is the Marketplace at Cowtown?
It is a newer retail space across the road from the rodeo, with seven-day hours and a brewery, according to a 2026 report. It is separate from the Tuesday and Saturday market.
Cowtown Farmers Market is a classic South Jersey outing: produce, bargains and a bit of cowboy culture in one stop. Check the hours, arrive early, bring cash and make time for the rodeo if the season fits your trip.
