Farmers Market season starts Saturday in Wichita, and the two biggies will both be bigger
Wichita’s two main farmers markets are opening for the season this weekend, and the directors of both say that their opening-day vendor counts will be at all-time highs.
Both the Old Town Farm & Art Market and the Kansas Grown Farmers Market that happens at the Sedgwick County Extension Center, 21st and Ridge, resume on Saturday. Kansas Grown is also launching the season for its market in Derby on Saturday.
As people have grown more confident gathering in public — and perhaps because of the focus the pandemic put on supporting local businesses — interest in both markets has grown, and their directors say their 2022 seasons will be overflowing with vegetables, crafts, ready-to-eat food and more.
Here’s a look at what to expect from each of the markets this year.
Old Town Farm & Art Market
Opening day of this downtown market at the Farm & Art Plaza, 835 E. First St., will feature 70 vendors, which is a record number, said market manager Luke Snow. The list of participants includes popular favorite vendors like bakery Everything & the Bagel Bread Co., popcorn aficionado Crave’n Kettle Corn and winemaker Simply Sangria as well as several first-time vendors.
Last year, Snow announced that the market, now in its 31st year, would expand its footprint to include space for vendors all the way down Rock Island between First and Second streets. It turned out they weren’t quite ready to utilize that space last year, but it will be active this year, Snow said, especially on a new first-Saturday event that’s planned.
The first installment of the new event will be on May 7 and will feature several activities alongside the vendor booths — things like chef demonstrations, art demonstrations and contests involving kids and dogs. The expanded first Saturday markets also will have six vendor spaces that it will offer free of charge on a rotating basis to local small businesses that want to offer their wares at the market. Those interested should fill out a form under the “join the market” tab on the market’s website, oldtownfarmandartmarket.com
“The whole purpose of this monthly event is promoting Wichita, the culture of Wichita and all the things related to small businesses,” Snow said. “We want to do what we can to help these small businesses be strong.”
Each week, the market will have live music, starting with Harrison Steele on Saturday. It will also have prepared food and drink for people to enjoy, including tacos by Taco Locale, loaded fries from Travieso’s Food Company, coffee from Sunflower Espresso and — new this year — fried pies from a vendor called Old Farmhouse Pie Co. Simply Sangria owner Brian Miller will also begin offering at the market the same ready-to-eat pizza that he serves from his food court kiosk in Towne East.
Visitors will be entertained this year by a magician who will roam the market each week performing tricks, and local theatre Roxy’s Downtown plans to regularly send cast members to perform scenes from shows they’re producing.
“We just want to bring some extra activities to the overall experience of the market,” Snow said.
The Old Town market will from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday and will continue through Dec. 17. The hours will change in November to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kansas Grown Farmers Market
Across town, the Kansas Grown Farmers Market, which sets up in the parking lot of the Sedgwick County Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st St., will also open on Saturday and will be celebrating the start of its 32nd season.
Tricia Holmes, the market’s board president, said it will be “bigger and better than ever.” This year, the market will add 32 new vendors, and it’s possible that some markets will be so overflowing that organizers will have to find space for new stalls.
Though the bulk of the produce won’t show up until later in the summer, the market will have plenty of baked goods, pet treats, meats, arts and crafts and plants for sale.
As usual, the market will also have its special theme days, including the popular Tomato Fest (July 30), Herb Day (May 7) and Kids Day (June 11) which this year will include a petting zoo.
It’ll also have plenty for visitors to eat while they shop. Food trucks Paranormal Eggsperience and Want Bierock will set up every Saturday, and Kyle’s Mom’s Pickles will be there on certain Saturdays.
The market will also feature live musicians, Troubles the Clown making balloon animals, and chef demonstrations.
The Kansas Grown Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 29.
Its satellite market in Derby, 512 E. Madison, also launches on Saturday and runs 8 a.m. to noon through the end of October.
For more information, visit kansasgrowninc.com
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 5:03 AM.
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