On St Patrick's Day (2006) a dinner was held at ACADA on Willunga Hill, for Willunga Quarry Market volunteers. Thirty people who have contributed to the development, maintenance, and establishing the Market as a Tourist Attraction on the Fleurieu Peninsula, joined together to celebrate their achievements. Among the guests were the founders of the Market, Jenny Peterson, Sally Ann French-Kennedy and Megan Guster.

These courageous women convinced a reluctant District Council of Willunga that a country market would be a tourist attraction for the township. They had negotiated an agreement with Ian Collett to use his quarry, alongside the Old Courthouse and Police Station Museum, for the market. Therefore, on 20th November 1986 they registered the name 'Willunga Quarry Market' with the South Australian Corporate Affairs Commission.

The District Council of Willunga felt there were inadequate parking and toilet facilities in the vicinity and on these grounds knocked back the proposal to use the quarry as a market site. Council offered space near Linear Park for the first few markets. On Saturday 6 December 1986 the first market was held.

In March of 1987 Jenny, Sally Ann and Megan were informed by council that a works project was planned for Linear Park and that the market could no longer be held on that location, Negotiations with the Willunga Scout Group were successful and from April 1987 to September 2001 the Market was held on the Willunga Scout Grounds, Aldinga Road, Willunga, (the present sight of Willunga Recreation Park's netball and tennis courts.)

Well known Willunga identities Rosie and Kingsley Knott, Adrain Strachan, Chris Glaetzer and Alison Leaney were only a few of the thirty two stall holders who traded at the first market, and Dave Clark of 'Singing Gallery' fame was also in attendance. Later Alison became the market president and she continues to produce the Country Style Markets of the Adelaide Hills and Southern Area brochure. Jenny Peterson has been the Market' Treasurer since
its inception, (20 years in December 2006).