Diversity market returns to Iowa City’s south district, starts Saturday

IOWA CITY — The second annual South District Diversity Market kicks off on Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. in Pepperwood Plaza. The 10 outdoor market sessions will be held every Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. through July 30, weather permitting, in the parking lot in front of JD Beauty Supply, 1067 Hwy. 6 East.

The market is expanding from 30 vendors last year to 60 vendors this year, according to organizers, and will offer a wide range of products and services this year, including specialty food, entertainment, free face painting for children, a bookmobile, UI Mobile Clinic, art, jewelry, clothes, massage, crafts, community resource tabling and more. For a specific listing of vendors and items, visit the market’s Facebook page, @southdistrictdiversitymarket.

The market’s mission is to create and enhance neighborhood resiliency and economic development within the South District neighborhood in Iowa City by elevating, empowering and connecting entrepreneurial-spirited small business owners, including women, Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, immigrant, refugee, returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and youth; and expanding and maintaining grassroots and family-oriented events in the South District neighborhood.