Zionsville Farmers Market Returns With Nearly 50 Local Vendors
Photographer: Brian Brosmer
The Zionsville Farmers Market, which is one of the oldest markets in the area, recently returned for its 22nd year. The markets season started on May 18 and runs through September 28.
Sara Martini, Zionsville Farmers Market Manager, says the market was started in 1997 by a small group of women that lived in the Village of Zionsville.
“Their goal was to bring life back to Main Street and attract people to want to come and shop on Main Street and support local businesses,” Martini says. “So, they thought one way to do that was to start the Zionsville Farmers Market. It started with just seven vendors and then it has grown into what it is today.”
Martini says that eight new vendors joined the market this year, bringing its total vendor count to 48. They sell a variety of items such as coffee, kombucha, cheese, eggrolls, baked goods and produce. The market’s homepage says it’s “proud to bring you the best locally grown fruits and vegetables provided by Indiana farmers. The market offers a colorful variety of breads, pastries and cheeses from local artisans and farm fresh meats and eggs.”
New vendors include Kim’s Cookie Cafe, Indie Coffee Roasters, Circle City Kombucha, Jadie’s Applesauce, Walking Waffle Co. and Harmon Farms.
Also new this year is its Dog Days of Summer and It’s a Cornival events.
Dog Days of Summer was held June 29, and dogs were given a free bandana that says Zionsville Farmers Market, as well as a free dog treat. The market is dog-friendly, and they highly encourage visitors to bring their dogs to the market, as long as owners follow the rules. A detailed guideline for bringing your dog to the market is available at zionsvillefarmersmarket.org/about.html.
“We’ve got one of the few farmers markets in the area that allow dogs at the market,” Martini says. “We really encourage people to bring their dogs and we think that dogs are part of the family.”
It’s a Cornival event will be held July 27. The Zionsville Farmers Market partnered with the Lions Club to provide free, grilled corn on the cob to market visitors. Martini says that the corn is provided by one of its vendors.
To celebrate National Farmers Market Week, which is the first week of August, the market will have plenty of giveaways and prizes on August 10.
“We always have free giveaways that are something to do with the Zionsville market,” Martini says. “In the past, we’ve given away cutting boards that say Zionsville Farmers Market. We’ve given away travel coffee mugs that say Zionsville Farmers Market. This year we’ll have a surprise giveaway.”
On the last day of the market, September 28, it will give free cider to its visitors for its final Saturday of the 2019 season, Say Goodbye to Summer.
For added entertainment, the Zionsville Farmers Market also provides free, live musical entertainment from a local band each Saturday. Artists include Chris Burrus, John Jackson, Ian Black and more.
For Martini, her favorite part of the market is the Zionsville community.
“This is my fourth year managing the market,” she says. “My favorite part of the market is seeing the vendors and forming relationships with them. I live right down the road from the market, and I get to see all my friends at the market and my neighbors, and my husband comes with me and brings my dog. It’s a really fun time to spend with my friends and neighbors. It’s a great way to spend your Saturday morning.”
The Zionsville Farmers Market is always looking for volunteers, too. Volunteers can help by staffing the market booth, selling T-shirts and greeting market visitors. There are two shifts each Saturday, which run from 7-9 a.m. and 9-11 a.m. If you’re interested in volunteering your Saturday morning at the market, email the volunteer coordinator at zionsvillemarketvolunteering@gmail.com for more information.
The Zionsville Farmers Market is located at the corner of Main Street and Hawthorne and is presented by IU Health – North Hospital. The market is open 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. every Saturday from May 18 through September 28. For more information, such as vendor information, please visit zionsvillefarmersmarket.org.
