Cedar Rapids Farmers Market celebrates milestone with new twist this year

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is celebrating its 10th year this summer with a new twist.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which hosts the market, will hold a night market Aug. 29 in addition to the eight daytime markets.

Jill Wilkins, event planner for the Economic Alliance, has led the market for eight of its first nine years. She said the night market will feature many of the same vendors and prepared food options of the day markets, with increased focus on live entertainment. The alliance is partnering with the Cedar Rapids Jaycees, who will serve Iowa wines and beers that patrons can drink at the market.

'It's just kind of expanding the market's festival atmosphere,” Wilkins said.

Pam Hinman, communications manager for the Economic Alliance, said the night market is being piloted this year, and organizers will decide whether to continue the idea in future years.

The market location will shift slightly this year because of construction on downtown streets. The main stage will be on Third Street SE at First Avenue, with the market running from Third Street SE to Fifth Avenue SE. It will extend for one block on either side of Third Street SE at Second Avenue SE, Third Avenue SE, and Fourth Avenue SE.

Market organizers highlighted the event's growth since its first season in 2006. It started as an experiment with 50 vendors lining three blocks. This year boasts 200 vendors over 10 blocks. During that time, patron counts went from an average of 5,000 to 14,000.

The Economic Alliance highlighted $10.3 million in economic impact from more than 650,000 patrons brought to downtown over the last decade. Fourteen vendors have gone on to launch brick-and-mortar businesses, said Economic Alliance Executive Vice President Doug Neumann.

'We don't just present these events to have fun. This is serious business,” he said.

He said events such as the market help show off Cedar Rapids and encourage investment from employers.

'Recruiting and retaining talent is a hindrance for growth,” he said. 'Part of that is quality of life, quality of place.”

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett said the market has been a success because of the hard work of dozens of volunteers and staff members along with engagement from Cedar Rapids residents. He said the market works in part because it integrates entertainment and a block party feel with the produce and craft vendors.

'Without people and the organizations behind them, events often fail,” he said. 'People have embraced this. It is fun to see people not only shop but have fun and interact.”

Market dates

l Regular markets: June 6 and 20, July 4 and 18, Aug. 1 and 15 and Sept. 5 and 19, 7:30 a.m. to noon l Night market: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. to midnight

l More information: www.crdowntownmarket.com