From fresh produce to handmade goods: What you’ll find at a dozen community farmers markets

Summer might be winding down, but the season for heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn and squash is ramping up.

In addition to the century-old Falls Park Farmers Market, there are a couple of other locally grown and made markets in Sioux Falls and several in neighboring communities.

Here’s a guide that stretches from Dell Rapids south to Beresford and from Salem east to Brandon.

Beresford Farmers Market

The Beresford Farmers Market is every Wednesday at the Lions Shelter in Bulow Park from June through August. Hours are 5 to 7 p.m.

Each week features from seven to 15 vendors selling produce, baked goods, freeze-dried candies, handmade jewelry and crafts. Brandi Snell, one of the organizers, said the market is meant for homegrown and handmade goods.

There’s live music, a food truck and sometimes a beverage truck, with the new Dakota Fizz appearing tonight. Check out the Facebook page for each week’s vendors, and find more info at beresfordfarmersmarket.com.

On Aug. 30, the organizers are hosting a chili cookout to help raise funds for marketing.

Brandon Farmers Market

The farmers market in Brandon runs every Saturday from May through October.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot at 925 N. Splitrock Blvd.

“We have close to 100 different vendors – many rotate their dates, so we average about 40 each week,” said organizer Julie Lanoue of Lanoue Gardens of Garretson. She lists each week’s vendors in the preceding days on the Brandon Farmers Market’s website and its Facebook page.

Shoppers will find lots of produce, along with baked goods, meat, eggs, honey and wine. There also are crafters and product vendors.

Each week usually features a couple of food trucks, a coffee truck and a shaved ice truck, and there are picnic tables where people can eat, Lanoue said. Sometimes, there is live music.

Upcoming special events during the market include Pumpkin Palooza on Sept. 20, a Halloween costume contest for pets on Oct. 18 and a Halloween trunk-or-treat on Oct. 25.

After October, the farmers market operates the second Saturday of the month through April in Faith United Church. There’s also a holiday market the Saturday before Christmas.

Canton Open Air Market/Canton Farmers Market/The Canton Market

The season for the Canton Open Air Market has ended already, but the Canton Farmers Market and the new Canton Market run through harvest.

The Canton Farmers Market is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in The Canton Depot parking lot at 600 W. Fifth St. It’s expected to run until at least Oct. 1.

The number of vendors varies from week to week, but shoppers typically will find 15 to 20, including fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and crafts.

Find updates on the market’s Facebook page. 

The Canton Market is a new offering from Celebrate Community Church. It operates most Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church parking lot on 47954 W. Fifth St. Remaining dates are Aug. 22 and 29, Sept. 5, 12 and 26, and possibly into October.

Find updates on the market’s Facebook page. 

The Market in the Dells

At the beginning of August, The Market in the Dells moved from the city park to the parking lot at Pinz at 320 E. Fourth St.

The market kicked off June 21 and is offered every other Saturday, with the next one coming up this weekend. The final date Oct. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Shoppers will find at least one produce stand, along with about a dozen other vendors selling baked goods, honey, eggs, jam, crafts and more.

This Saturday will feature the Children’s Entrepreneur Market.

Garretson’s Split Rock Farmers Market

The city of Garretson’s farmers market wrapped up its third season on Tuesday. It’s operated in the evening on the second Tuesday of the month from June through August in Split Rock Park.

Downtown Hartford Market

This small-town farmers market that happens once a month on Hartford’s main street keeps growing with additional vendors, new products and expanded activities for kids.

The Downtown Hartford Market, which features handmade artisan crafts and homegrown food, is on the last Thursday of the month from May through September, running from 5 to 8:30 p.m., rain or shine. Final dates are Aug. 28 and Sept. 25.

There are 70 vendors on the roster, with an average of 45 showing up each month. More youth vendors are participating, “which has been fun to see,” said Callie Tuschen, co-chair of the Downtown Hartford Market committee. “This is the first year we have had to turn vendors away so that we don’t have too many of the same type of products. Our product selection has really expanded to include a wide variety of handmade and homegrown goodies. My favorites include the fresh flowers, baked goods and unique art.”

Each market features live music and supper from Creekside Meats and a couple of food trucks. An open-container policy allows customers to enjoy a craft beer from Buffalo Ridge Brewing or a drink from one of the bars while they shop.

The market also is family-friendly. “We expanded our children’s activities to include an interactive sidewalk mural, a new scavenger hunt, and we will have a train for kids to ride at the Aug. 28 market,” Tuschen said.

Find updates at HartfordFarmersMarket.com or on Facebook.

Lake Lorraine Farmers Market

The Lake Lorraine Farmers Market is every Thursday from June through October at the west-side development on Marion Road. Hours are 4 to 7 p.m. through September and 4 to 6:30 p.m. in October.

Vendors set up on the east side of the lake in the parking lot between Hobby Lobby and Dave & Buster’s.

Products vary throughout the season, but shoppers can expect to find items such as vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, sauces, arts and crafts, and more from about a dozen vendors.

In addition, monthly pop-up catch-and-release fishing events organized by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks coincide with farmers market dates. Upcoming events are Aug. 14 and Sept. 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. No reservations or equipment are needed for the free fishing.

Check the Lake Lorraine Farmers Market Facebook posts for updates. Additional information on vendors and the market can be found at LakeLorraineSiouxFalls.com.

Sioux Falls Sunday Vendors Market

First Stop Coffee Shop is hosting its third annual vendors outdoor market every Sunday through October.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the coffee kiosk’s parking lot at 12th Street and Ellis Road.

Shoppers will find produce, household items, crafts and more. Some weeks there are a dozen vendors, and other weeks there are up to two dozen, said coffee shop owner Judy Swearingen. While food trucks haven’t joined the market yet this season, they’re welcome, she said.

Swearingen doesn’t charge vendors to set up a booth – it’s “just a desire to help promote local small businesses.” All vendors must contact her to reserve a spot for participation. Email her at [email protected] with “trade show” in the subject line.

In October, there will be a pumpkin painting party earlier in the month and a trunk-or-treat closer to Halloween, she said.

Find updates on First Stop’s Facebook page. 

Salem Chamber Downtown Market

The Salem Chamber Downtown Market is held once a month from June through October. The remaining dates are Sept. 10 and Oct. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Shoppers will find 15 to 25 vendors, with one produce vendor, baked goods, organic meat, crafts and direct marketing retailers. There is live music, free kids activities and food trucks.

Check the market’s Facebook page for updates.

Tea’s Saturday in the Park

Saturday in the Park is back for a second year in Tea.

The event is organized by the Tea Chamber for Development and is held on the third Saturday of the month from July through October. Upcoming dates are Aug. 16, Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Tea City Park.

The family-friendly event features locally made items from more than two dozen vendors. Products include items like natural soaps, candles, boutique clothing, custom clothing and gifts, baked goods and fresh meat from a local butcher. Visitors also will find food trucks, live music, other entertainment and activities for kids.

Find updates on Facebook.

Worthing Farmers Market

The Worthing Farmers Market has two remaining dates: Friday and Sept. 19. This year, the city scaled back the schedule from every other week to once a month, starting in June.

The market runs from 5 to 8 p.m. near the elementary school.

Find updates on the city’s Facebook page.

Click on the link below for details on the Falls Park Farmers Market.

Falls Park Farmers Market opens this weekend, bringing new products, plans for year-round venue

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