Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market to return this week

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is set to bring local flavor to the city’s downtown core at its annual debut this Saturday.

The popular attraction draws roughly 12,000 visitors to each market, where several blocks of downtown Cedar Rapids are cordoned off to allow visitors to wander from one vendor block to the next. This Saturday's event marks the first of eight markets that will take place this summer.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance recently released its full vendor lineup and an interactive market map at bit.ly/CRMarket25 to help shoppers plan their visit. Each market hosts roughly 200 vendors who sell everything from fresh produce and flowers to crafts, baked goods and more.

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Visitors are encouraged to leave their pets at home given the markets’ heavy foot traffic, although well-behaved pets are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash of 3 feet or less and keep a safe distance from vendors’ displays.

Several vendors will accept federal food assistance benefits such as SNAP, WIC/Senior and Senior FMNP. A full list of participating vendors and their wares can be found on the Economic Alliance website.

The farmers market runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays:

Also this year, the Metro Economic Alliance will mark the Downtown Farmers Market’s 20th anniversary with a special Gathered & Grown: A Feast of Five Seasons farm-to-table dinner event. Reservations are now open and can be made online at bit.ly/GatheredGrown.

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