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Downtown Farmers' Market: May 26

Things to Do in Downtown Des Moines

Date: Saturday, May. 26, 2018 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Historic Court District

Event Information

Featuring nearly 300 vendors from 50 Iowa counties, the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) offers scores of tasty treats each summer on Saturdays. Visitors can enjoy locally grown produce, farm fresh eggs, baked goods and Iowa-raised meat, including beef, pork, chicken, goat, rabbit, lamb and tilapia! The adventure doesn’t stop there either. Guests can enjoy local artists, live music and entertainment, ready-to-eat foods, special programming and learning opportunities all in the course of a Saturday morning. Whether it’s seasonal flowers, locally produced wine or a new culinary adventure, there’s always something to experience at the Downtown Farmers’ Market.

This event is free and open to the public.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market will incorporate a special celebration this Saturday, May 26, for Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor the lives of our fallen servicemen and women. We will be handing out a limited number of mini American flags. Additionally our programmed musicians, staged in various locations throughout The Market, will play the National Anthem at 9:00 a.m.

Participating vendors will have Memorial Day themed items for sale as well as special pricing for veterans and military personnel.

When: Handing out 300 mini American flags starting at 7:00 a.m. until gone

Where: Information booth, Red tent located at the northeast corner of 3rd Street and Court Ave

UnityPoint Health – DSM Programming

For May 26: Join the Stroke team under the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines tent to learn how to act F.A.S.T. and save a life! F.A.S.T is an easy way to remember and identify the most common symptoms of a stroke. Recognition of stroke and calling 9-1-1 will determine how quickly someone will receive help and treatment.

In honor of Memorial Day, stop by the UnityPoint Health - Des Moines? booth this Saturday to write a postcard that will be sent to a service member overseas!

Vendors

Search for your favorite Market vendors and discover new ones in the complete vendor list

Entertainers

Enjoy live music from local performers while you shop. This week, hear these performers:

  • Denise Forney: Denise Forney is a singer-songwriter hailing from West Des Moines. She composes original music and performs with her family regularly in the community. Forney likes to play contemporary music using an acoustic guitar and vocals.
  • DSM Dueling Fiddles: In the style of "dueling pianos," Des Moines Symphony violinists Genevieve Salamone and Hanna Wolle form the DSM Dueling Fiddles duo. With a repertoire consisting of world fiddle music, gypsy, Celtic, pop, rock, Latin, Klezmer, Irish, bluegrass and classical selections, this duo can entertain crowds of all ages!
  • Equal Parts: Equal Parts is an alternative rock/indie rock group from Iowa. Consisting of two main performers, Equal Parts utilizes guitar, bass, violin, drums and more.
  • Heartland Mini-Railroad Express: Kids are invited to come take a ride on the Mini Railroad! Located on 2nd Street, South of Court Ave. the Heartland Mini Railroad provides young visitors a fun and unique experience while shopping The Market.
  • Living Statue: Katelyn McBurney's Living Statue act is derived from classical marble statue form. McBurney has been performing around the region for the last four years, maintaining a held position until interacted with, upon which time she turns into a "living" statue character.
  • Reid Miller Folk Music, Storytelling & Puppetry: Reid Miller Storytelling Puppet Theater is folk and family entertainment. His puppet shows are based on classic folktales and original fiction taken from the events of the day. Songs range from folk to blues to ballads to bodacious comedy with appeal for all generations.
  • Sinners and Saints: Sinners and Saints brings outstanding vocals and percussion, giving a facelift to old folk songs and making them new again. Their set list includes an eclectic blend of hits from Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, John Prine, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin and many others. They dare you not to sing along!
  • The Six Man Big Band: Based out of DSM, Ben Sanders and his band are an experimental jazz/funk group. Consisting of only high schoolers, this high energy band has a passion for music that is reflected through their playing!
  • Tropical Steel: With over 14 years of performance experience at The Market, this local group boasts of a Caribbean-steel style. Their tropical program, involving crowd participation, hula hoops and small instruments, is enjoyable for all ages!
  • UnityPoint Ensemble: This group consists of two-to-five members playing the flute, violin, cello, guitar and keyboard. They have a wide selection of classical music, fiddle music and contemporary Christian music.

Community Corner

Stop by the Community Corner on Third Street, south of Court Avenue, to find out what is happening in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Local charitable organizations — welcomed as Saturday Salutes at The Market — promote learning opportunities, Downtown events and community resources each Saturday. This week, check out the Saturday Salutes:

  • CIEE: CIEE is a nonprofit program that provides the public with information about hosting foreign exchange high school students. The mission of the Council of International Educational Exchange is to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Stop by and match flags from around the world with their country. Profiles of the exchange students will be available at the booth along with brochures detailing the program.
  • Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers: Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers is a community of nonreligious people carrying out social, charitable, educational and civic activities. Stop by the booth to see a demonstration of the solar system and learn more about the science behind this community.
  • Leukemia &Lymphoma Society: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is working to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and melanoma, while improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Test out your knowledge with trivia regarding LLS and their efforts in the community.
  • Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge − People for Pollinators: Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge − People for Pollinators partners with schools and businesses around our community to help pollinators survive. They provide educational materials, site planning assistance, vegetative maintenance expertise and seeds or plants to get the garden up and running. Stop by the booth to receive a take-home "pollinator package" and learn how you can help and why pollinators are important.
  • Taysia Blue Rescue: Taysia Blue Rescue is a 501c3 that strives to save lives by keeping Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes out of shelters. They provide them the with medical attention, socialization, exercise, food and a safe place to live with volunteer foster families until they can find their forever homes. Stop by to learn more about the organization, meet some pups and participate in the educational activity.

Market Extras and Special Programming

Enjoy unique programming from Market sponsors during your visit. Learn more about all the Market programming, including special Market deals happening every week. This week, check out this special programming:

  • Iowa Cubs
  • The Des Moines Register