It’s officially farmers market season. Visit this one, in Dubuque, or dozens more across the state. (Photo: Dubuque Farmers Market)
Every spring, many Iowa communities reopen their farmers markets to celebrate not only their local farmers but gardeners, business owners and artists. Farmers markets across the state offer fresh produce, homemade baked goods, live music, arts and crafts, and much, much more. Here are just a few of the markets that open on May 4, listed on Travel Iowa’s website:
Cedar Rapids
Recognized as one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest, summer brings 200 local Iowa vendors and 14,000 visitors to Cedar Rapids’ downtown. Stop by the market twice a month for the usual fresh produce and local crafts, as well as live cooking demonstrations, musical performances and a wide array of children’s activities.
Davenport
Featuring goods grown in the Mississippi Valley, the Freight House Farmer’s Market offers great produce along with some gorgeous Iowa views. Held each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, May through October, on the scenic Mississippi Riverfront in Davenport, visitors can find crafts, treats and fresh produce including meat and eggs as well as an abundance of tasty samples. The vendors switch out on the weekends so visitors can find something new each day.
Des Moines
Touted as one of the best farmers markets in the country, Des Moines’ downtown event brings 300 diverse vendors and 25,000 visitors to the downtown every Saturday morning between May and October. Vendors represent 50 counties across the state, and the market spans nine city blocks, offering a variety of fresh food, home-baked goods, live music, local vendors, arts and crafts and more.
Dubuque
Experience the longest-running farmers market in the state, which dates back to 1858 and has celebrated all things local since. Join the crowd in Dubuque every Saturday morning, May through September, for fresh produce and local crafts along with unique finds like lavender lemonade, breakfast doughnut sandwiches and locally made maple syrup.
Sioux City
Connect with local, rural family farms at Sioux City’s farmers market, held in the parking lot of the Tyson Events Center every Wednesday and Saturday, May through October. Purchase locally grown produce or handcrafted art and enjoy an abundance of baked goods, all of which are produced or grown by the person selling it. This is a true community event that celebrates its farmers and patrons.
Cedar Rapids
Recognized as one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest, summer brings 200 local Iowa vendors and 14,000 visitors to Cedar Rapids’ downtown. Stop by the market twice a month for the usual fresh produce and local crafts, as well as live cooking demonstrations, musical performances and a wide array of children’s activities.
Davenport
Featuring goods grown in the Mississippi Valley, the Freight House Farmer’s Market offers great produce along with some gorgeous Iowa views. Held each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, May through October, on the scenic Mississippi Riverfront in Davenport, visitors can find crafts, treats and fresh produce including meat and eggs as well as an abundance of tasty samples. The vendors switch out on the weekends so visitors can find something new each day.
Des Moines
Touted as one of the best farmers markets in the country, Des Moines’ downtown event brings 300 diverse vendors and 25,000 visitors to the downtown every Saturday morning between May and October. Vendors represent 50 counties across the state, and the market spans nine city blocks, offering a variety of fresh food, home-baked goods, live music, local vendors, arts and crafts and more.
Dubuque
Experience the longest-running farmers market in the state, which dates back to 1858 and has celebrated all things local since. Join the crowd in Dubuque every Saturday morning, May through September, for fresh produce and local crafts along with unique finds like lavender lemonade, breakfast doughnut sandwiches and locally made maple syrup.
Sioux City
Connect with local, rural family farms at Sioux City’s farmers market, held in the parking lot of the Tyson Events Center every Wednesday and Saturday, May through October. Purchase locally grown produce or handcrafted art and enjoy an abundance of baked goods, all of which are produced or grown by the person selling it. This is a true community event that celebrates its farmers and patrons.
