5 Ways to Celebrate the 50th Season of the Downtown Farmers’ Market

From 15 vendors and 200 shoppers during its opening in 1976 to more than 300 vendors and an estimated 40,000 shoppers today, the popularity of the Downtown Farmers’ Market has grown exponentially in 50 years. This Downtown Des Moines (DSM) staple, open from early May to the end of October, has evolved over the years, extending to more streets and eventually adding live entertainment acts, the Winter Farmers’ Market and supporting early-stage small businesses through the Spark DSM Business Incubator. Long-time vendors like Thill’s Produce, who had a booth at that very first Market in ‘76, are marking 50 years by showcasing the fresh produce and homegrown goods shoppers have come to know and love.

Celebrate 50 Seasons of the Downtown Farmers’ Market

You’re invited to celebrate these accomplishments and enjoy the Downtown Farmers’ Market during its 50th Season Celebration on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The event will begin at its normal start time of 7 a.m. but extend into the afternoon past Noon until 3:30 p.m. with a consolidated footprint. What should you be on the lookout for? Check out five ways to celebrate during the celebration this weekend below:

1. Shop more than 140 Market vendors.

2. Hear local musical acts near the Historic Courthouse on Fifth Avenue. BYOBrass will play on the Mainstage during the extended hours. The full lineup is below:

• 7 a.m. - Noon: L and N Music and Brownian Motion (they are both in the eastern portion of The Market footprint)
• 7 a.m. - 3:30p.m.: Professor Von Air, Beewitched Belly Dance and Blue Moon Face Paint
• 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mainstage: Saints and Sinners, The Sheet and BYOBrass

3. Take part in hourly giveaways to win Commemorative 50th Season Market goodies.

4. Check off items on the Spark DSM Market Bucket List. From 7 a.m. until Noon, visit the following Spark DSM vendors: Psycho Sweets, Zimma & Zekes, Exhale by Amanda, Rebel Wellness and 24K Juice. From 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., visit these DSM Spark vendors: Chit Chaat N Chai, Elena’s Desserts, Gloamy Grim Co. Kaitlyn’s Pupcakes, Karley’s Collection, Sweet Doe Company and Zacatecas Western Wear.

5. Explore The Market through a family-friendly scavenger hunt available at the Information Booth. Get items checked off then turn into the Information Booth for a chance to win prizes. This activity ends on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 (the end of National Farmers’ Market Week).

Becoming a Top U.S. Farmers’ Market

On July 24, 1976, the Downtown Farmers’ Market opened at Eighth and Mulberry Streets in Downtown DSM. By the year 2003, The Market had extended all the way to Second Avenue and added 75 booths. Next came the addition of the Winter Farmers’ Market in 2006, a bike valet and Meals from the Market programming in 2009 and 36 more booths on Third Street in 2011.

 

The continuous improvements paid off and landed the Downtown Farmers’ Market a #2 spot on The Daily Meals’ list of 101 Best Farmers’ Markets in America for two years straight. Innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic kept small business owners who depended on Market involvement in business thanks to the short-lived Drive-Through Market at the Iowa State Capitol and the drive-through Winter Farmers’ market at Principal Park. In 2022, The Spark DSM Business Incubator began with just two booths — that has now grown to include 12 Spark DSM businesses in 2025.

Most recently in 2024, The Market expanded to include Water Street and Market activations like Yoga at the Market and Bouquet Making, and this year, to mark 50 years, food truck spaces and 12 more booth spaces, a new entertainment location and a Produce RX program that provides vouchers from select healthcare providers in the region have been added.

A full list of Market programming can be found here.

Don’t miss this special 50th Anniversary Celebration celebrating five decades of local goods in Downtown DSM! Find more information on this week’s event programming on The Market’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and head to Historic Court District this Saturday to join in on all The Market fun!

From May to October, experience local artists, live music and entertainment at the Downtown Farmers’ Market featuring more than 300 family farmers, bakers, artists and crafters from around the state. It’s easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.