Marion gets new farmers market

A new farmers market won't replace Marion's longtime market.

The Marion Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that it will partner with St. Luke's Hospital to bring Uptown Marion Market to City Square Park in Marion.

Rachel Krug, chamber director of member services, said the markets will be 7:30 a.m. to

1 p.m. June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14.

Krug said the chamber met with vendors of the Marion Farmers Market, which has markets every Wednesday and Saturday from May through September at the East End Shopping Center, 3375 Seventh Ave.

Some of those vendors will attend the downtown markets that coincide on days of the long-standing market, she said.

Pat Carlson, coordinator for the longtime market, said only vendors with extra helpers likely will sell at the new site.

Vendors cited convenient parking, restrooms and being under the cover of the market building as reasons for staying in the site built specifically for farmers markets in the 1970s, she said.

Krug said the new market was proposed during the Imagine8 community visioning process.

Uptown Marion Market will offer fresh produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, plants, meat, wines and artisan items.

It also will feature food vendors, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children's entertainment and healthy living programming for all ages.