C.R. Farmers Market is not your typical market

As a longtime patron of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, I want to address a previous letter questioning the concept of what is one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest.

Our market has many reasons to be proud of its consistent growth over the last five years with an event-planning formula that has been used as a best practice for other communities.

The balance of traditional market elements alongside unique demonstrations and entertainment allow a patron to spend a leisurely morning in the heart of our community. The name itself provides instant connection in our community, thanks to years of promoting through generous media support such as The Gazette, as well as hundreds of hours in community outreach.

To date, the market has around 200 vendors, all from Iowa. Of those, half are scheduled to sell traditional market items such as produce, floral, wine and more.

The additional vendors are a fantastic representation of the artisan talent we have across the state. Traditional market vendors get first consideration when a space opens up, and the wait list continues to grow even after 50 spaces were added.

I agree, this is not your typical market, for which I feel grateful. My guess is the 8,000-plus patrons attending each downtown market would agree.

The Cedar Rapids Downtown District is truly “Bringing Downtown to Life” and the downtown farmers market is a shining example of that fact.

Phil Hartgrave

Cedar Rapids