ON THE HUNT: Ames Farmers' Market opens 2023 season Saturday boasting local music, food

Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune
·4 min read
Hundreds of market-goers converge on the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market in July of 2022. The market kicks off its season Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Gear up, hunting season has arrived.

From homegrown treats and live music to a petting zoo and an exclusive nighttime offering, the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market makes its emphatic return Saturday morning.

The weekly, summer tradition is set to open the 2023 season at 8 a.m. May 6, running through 12:30 p.m. in the 300 and 400 blocks of Main Street.

Big things are planned this season, and the anticipation for the community event is palpable.

“We are excited for our 13th season on Main Street,” Lojean Petersen, market manager, said in a news release. “The market is expanding again with 23 new fulltime and occasional vendors joining us this year."

The farmers market, which typically draws an average of 3,000 visitors, is closed to vehicle traffic during Saturday morning hours.

“With special events planned each week, a variety of live music and children’s activities, there will be something new and exciting every Saturday,” Petersen said.

What can you expect to find at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market?

Guests will once again be treated to a variety of vendors offering “fresh local produce, baked goods, wine, cheese, meats, eggs, jams, cut flowers, handcrafted artwork, delicious, prepared food and so much more,” Petersen said.

Live music, local entertainment, free children’s activities and other special events will be featured at each market throughout the year.

There’s no cost for admission to the family-friendly, pet-friendly markets, which begins with a petting zoo on Saturday.

Petersen extended thanks to the market’s sponsors: Iowa State University, Waddle Exteriors, Deery of Ames, First National Bank, Wheatsfield Cooperative and the City of Ames.

The market is led by the Ames Chamber of Commerce and is supported by the Discover Ames Community Grant Program.

Downtown Ames holds its first night farmers’ market this season

A night in downtown Ames is sure to lure crowds hoping to forget the workday.

Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market will hold its first-ever evening market on Wednesday, May 17 in conjunction with Downtown Ames’ third annual 515 Day celebration.

The five-day celebration is also highlighted by the Food Truck Showdown, adding extra spice and flavor to the nighttime farmers market.

The evening will feature a small beer garden with canned beer from Ames and Story County breweries in addition to live music. Visitors can also sample various food items during the food truck showdown. An overall winner will be selected by a public vote, Main Street executive director Crystal Davis said.

More: Third annual 515 celebration grows to weeklong event in downtown Ames, starts May 15

What is the schedule of special events for the 2023 season of the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market?

Here is the schedule of free events, according to the market’s website, amesmainstreetfarmersmarket.com.Visit the website or the market’s social media for updates to the schedule.

  • May 6 — Hovick Family Petting Zoo

  • May 13 — Joyful Colorz face painting

  • May 20 — Meyer’s Pony Rides

  • June 3 — Justice Corp of Iowa Heroes

  • June 10 — Ames Public Library Bookmobile

  • July 1 — Joyful Colorz face painting

  • July 15 — Meyer's Pony Rides

  • July 22 — Joyful Colorz face painting

  • Aug. 5 — Bill Riley Talent Show

  • Aug. 12 — Joyful Colorz face painting

  • Aug. 19 — Ames Public Library Bookmobile

  • Sept. 2 — Hovick Family Petting Zoo

  • Sept. 9 — Ames Public Library Bookmobile

  • Sept. 9 — Joyful Colorz face painting

  • Sept. 30 — Meyer's Pony Rides

  • Oct. 7 — Ames Public Library Bookmobile

  • Oct. 14 — Pet Costume Contest

  • Oct. 14 — Hovick Family Petting Zoo

Who will be performing live music for the 2023 season of the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market?

The following musicians are scheduled to play at the farmers’ market this year:

  • May 6 — Asphalt & Stained Glass

  • May 13 — Boone Fiddler

  • May 20 — Patricia Holly

  • June 3 — Boone Fiddler

  • June 10 — Lincoln Driverz

  • June 17 — Redzband

  • July 1 — Elizabeth Zimmerman

  • July 8 — Doomed Pioneers

  • July 15 — Patricia Holly

  • July 22 — Tom Keinert

  • July 29 — Alleygrass

  • Aug. 5 — Shirley to the Sea

  • Aug. 12 — Redzband

  • Aug. 19 — Iowa No Mountain Boys

  • Aug. 26 — Miles Morgan

  • Sept. 2 — Patricia Holly

  • Sept. 9 — Elizabeth Zimmerman

  • Sept. 16 — Iowa No Mountain Boys

  • Sept. 23 — Asphalt & Stained Glass

  • Sept. 30 — Ace Jones

  • Oct. 7 — Shirley to the Sea

  • Oct. 14 — Ace Jones

Ronna Faaborg covers business, education and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Live music, kids' activities, fresh produce await Ames' marketgoers