A Taste of Local Legacy: New Farm-to-Table Event to Celebrate 20 Years of the Downtown Farmers Market

Cedar Rapids food lovers, mark your calendars: something fresh is coming to the table this summer.

To celebrate 20 incredible years of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market—and the 10th year of the beloved Market After Dark—the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is proud to announce Gathered & Grown: A Feast of Five Seasons, a brand-new outdoor dining experience that brings the spirit of the market to your plate.

Set for Sunday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m., this one-night-only, open-air event will take place in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids and promises to be an unforgettable evening of local flavor, community spirit, and culinary craftsmanship.

Presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, with support from Quaker Foods & Snacks, a division of PepsiCo, Inc., Gathered & Grown is more than a dinner—it’s a tribute to the people, vendors, farmers, and foodies who’ve helped shape the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market into one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest. With more than 200 vendors expected for the 2025 season, the market remains a proud showcase of what makes our community vibrant and unique.

“Twenty years of the Downtown Farmers Market is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.”

“Twenty years of the Downtown Farmers Market is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of,” said Jenn Draper, events contractor for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “This event is a way to say thank you to the community that has made the market what it is today. We wanted to create something special, something that truly honors the flavors, the people, and the passion behind the market.”

Guests will kick off the evening with a cocktail hour featuring local brews, wines, and spirits accompanied by live music. The main event: a three-course, farm-to-table feast crafted by the award-winning chefs of Cobble Hill, featuring ingredients sourced directly from Downtown Farmers Market vendors.

“This is more than a dinner—it’s a celebration of everything the market represents: local flavor, strong community ties, and the creativity that thrives in our city,” said Jule Day, marketing and communications director at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “We’re thrilled to share this experience with our neighbors, our vendors, and everyone who has been part of the market’s journey over the past two decades.”

Tickets are $150 per person and include the full dining experience, drinks and an evening to remember. The event is 21+ only, and seating is limited to keep the evening intimate and elevated.

Whether you’re a longtime market regular, a passionate local foodie, or someone who simply loves a good reason to gather— Gathered & Grown is the perfect way to raise a glass to 20 years of one of Cedar Rapids’ most cherished traditions.

Tickets are available now at www.cedarrapids.org.