More entertainment, vendors return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa City farmers markets

Farmers markets attendees in the Corridor can expect bigger markets, more vendors, new types of vendors and revamped entertainment rosters this year.

With early record sales at some markets and high expectations at others, the annual fair weather staple is widely expected to return local farmers markets back to their pre-pandemic sizes with more festive atmospheres.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, the Iowa City Farmers Market and others in Linn and Johnson counties.

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market back to pre-pandemic entertainment, size

With more live performances, more entertainment and even more vendors, organizers for the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market are confident in calling this year’s market a full and resounding return to what attendees expected before 2020.

Its 18th season, opening Saturday, May 27, will feature 200 vendors each day — its highest level since 2019. Artisans, bakeries, pet-oriented businesses and more selected from a vendor waitlist will ensure that no space is empty, even as farmers ramp up to full produce yields in the summer.

And if you need help waking up in the morning, fear not — a coffee shop vendor will be present on nearly every block throughout the market this year.

New this year, several featured nonprofits will make an appearance at each table, giving community organizations a chance to reach larger audiences with the market’s platform. But even with one of the market’s largest footprints downtown this year, vendors will still be lined up along just one side of each street — a pandemic adaptation that stays with the market’s return.

“Patrons like that because they don’t have to worry they’ll miss something on one side while shopping with a vendor on the other side,” said Jenn Draper, events planner for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

With an average of 11,000 to 12,000 attendees each weekend in previous years, organizers have reason to believe this year’s markets will see even more.

The biggest changes this year are with the planned entertainment. With upward of a dozen entertainment features happening on some market days, there’s something for everyone throughout the route — dancers, jugglers, martial arts performers, live music, face painting, balloon animals and street performers galore.

“A lot of the crowd comes for a street festival atmosphere, that’s what we’re aiming to get back to this year,” Draper said.

Attendees can expect live performances in Greene Square and throughout the venue.

In addition to WIC (Women, Infant, Children vouchers) and senior vouchers accepted by most food vendors during the market season, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients can access even more value for their fruit and vegetable purchases with Double Up Food Bucks.

Home Run for Hunger, a continued collaboration between several organizations to fight hunger, will gather food donations from vendors at the close of each market for the HACAP Mobile Pantry, which will distribute donations to food pantries through Linn and surrounding counties. Market patrons can chip in by donating purchased goods and produce via a box at the information booth.

Iowa City Farmers Market sees record sales at opening

The Iowa City Farmers Market, held every Saturday in downtown Iowa City, has already seen record sales in its first two events this month.

“The last two weekends, we’ve had cooler, gloomy weather. Customers have come out and supported vendors in spite of that,” said Michelle Weigand, recreation program supervisor for the City of Iowa City. “That’s a good sign for the season — we’ve had a really successful first couple weeks.”

With 130 vendor spots, the number of businesses present is up over 30 percent from last year, while Iowa City’s Wednesday market closed due to lack of demand.

This year, 25 new vendors join the list of 150 businesses that will fill those spots. Some vendors are returning for the first time since 2019.

New this year, Market Music will be expanding to fill the entire day and the entire season. Playing until noon, bands and artists started a month earlier than usual. Musical talents will be present at each market through Oct. 28.

Guest organizations will host children’s activities and art activities at the park adjacent to the market. Sept. 23 will feature a kids market, and Oct. 28 will feature a Halloween market.

“We’re really trying to get (attendees) to stick around a little longer at the farmers market,” said Weigand. “To have (music) stick around until noon, one of our busiest hours each day, is nice for creating a festive atmosphere.”

Other farmers markets in Linn and Johnson counties

Linn County

Johnson County

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