Iowa City Kids Market returns in September for 11th year

IOWA CITY — Young vendors will be selling an assortment of items at the annual Iowa City Kids Market come September. There might even be slime.

The Kids Market will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 24. This is the 11th year of the event hosted alongside the Saturday Farmers Market.

Young vendors from ages 8 to 18 will be selling items made, grown, baked or produced by them. This can range from craft items — like bracelets, coffee mugs or coasters — to produce to baked goods.

This event is an opportunity for kids to get creative and learn entrepreneurial skills, said Michelle Wiegand, the city’s recreation program supervisor for special events.

“Some kids are trying to raise money for themselves and then we have a number of kids who are raising money to be donated,” Wiegand said.

There will be 50 kid vendors on site this year, Wiegand said. Regular farmers market vendors will be set up as well.

Young vendors will have their stands set up on the grassy area just outside the Chauncey Swan parking garage.

The application opened earlier this month for kids to sign up and participate. Wiegand said the city received the first application within three minutes of sending out the email with information.

Within three days, spots for the popular event were filled up, Wiegand said.

“It’s been just incredibly popular every year,” Wiegand said.

While the application process is now closed, a waitlist has been created.

Celebrating 50 years of Iowa City Farmers Market

The Iowa City Farmers Market will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Residents are invited to the celebration from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 27.

In addition to the regular farmers market vendors, there will be giveaways, crafts, music and children’s activities.

“We will have a number of partners on site with hands-on learning activities about agriculture, about the environment,” Wiegand said.

There also will be a history display of the market.

“We’ve been able to uncover some neat articles from 1972, the first days of the market,” Wiegand said. “Luckily, we have some people who have kept some great archives over the years.”

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