Last Downtown Farmers' Market of 2011 this Saturday

The Cedar Rapids Downtown District welcomes patrons to the final Downtown Farmers' Market of the 2011 season this Saturday September 17, from 7:30AM-Noon. Presenting sponsor for September 17 is Quaker Oats who has partnered with Valor and EnAble to focus on raising funds for Paws & Effect, an organization providing canine training that aids and assists those who have served for our country.

“This Summer downtown saw with an average attendance of 13,000 patrons per market, with a peak of almost 19,000 patrons on July 2-that's a 50% increase in average market attendance from our 2010 season,” reports Jill Wilkins, Events Director for the Cedar Rapids Downtown District. “The success of these markets are a testament to the superior quality of our Iowa vendors, the generous support of corporate and media sponsors, amazing local entertainment, an unequaled non-profit community and of course our loyal market patrons. Thank you all for a wonderful season.”

Plans for 2012 downtown markets will begin immediately following the conclusion of the 2011 season.

The Cedar Rapids Police and Fire Department will be hosting the market theme “Safe Kids Day” that will include activities and information from the Cedar Rapids Fire and Police Departments and Linn County Public Health Department in Green Square Park. Bike helmets will be fitted and given away to the first 200 children. Mediacom will host main stage entertainment including the Jeffery Capps, Kennedy Drama, TCR, and Saints Dixieland Band performances. On street entertainment will include Mark Brown, John Heim (Big Mo), Junk Funk, Rapid 8's and a cooking demonstration by Denise Bushnell from Back to the Table. Live street performances include Mark Brown, John Heim (Big Mo), Junk Funk, Rapid 8's, Jeffery C. Capps, Saints Dixieland Band and many others. A record 219 market vendors will be placed along 3rd and 4th Avenues, 2nd and 3rd Street SE as well as Greene Square Park in downtown Cedar Rapids. Patrons will have access to free parking in 4th Avenue and GTC parkades and non-hooded meter space on open streets. Handicap accessible parking will be available in the Guaranty Bank parking lot (entrance along 2nd Avenue).

Corporate Sponsors for the market season include Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, Great Clips, Wickwire Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 7G Distributing, Cedar Rapids and Linn County Solid Waste Agency, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Eastern Iowa Airport, Health Center of Cedar Rapids, ImOn Communications, River Cedar Properties, Mercy Medical Center, Qwest, Quaker Oats and Van Meter Industrial. Media Sponsors include KHAK, KCRG-TV9, 100.7 the Fox, 600WMT, Hoopla, MVP Visual Media Solutions, The Gazette, Mediacom, the Corridor Business Journal and Z102.9. ## About the Cedar Rapids Downtown District: The Cedar Rapids Downtown District's mission is to cultivate and promote a dynamic downtown through business advocacy, riverfront enhancement, community development, sustainable infrastructure, flood recovery, and first-rate event planning for the benefit of the greater Cedar Rapids community. Get the latest on downtown news and events by visiting www.downtowncr.org or join us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.