Newton Farmers Market returns June 7

Nancy Woody has watched the growth of the Newton Farmers Market ever since she began selling her “canned creations” in 2007. It seems to grow a little bit every year, she said, but these past three years have proven very fruitful for both herself and the other dozen or more vendors who frequent the downtown market.

“I’m tellin’ you what, since Erin (Yeager) has taken over Main Street it has really exploded,” Woody said of attendance. “It’s increased every year since. It really helps when they get music up here because people will come and sit and listen to the music, and that brings in other people. Food trucks seem to help, too.”

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, said those inclusions are all intentional and are part of creating an exciting atmosphere she hopes the community will enjoy during this year’s farmers markets, which are held 4 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday, starting June 7 and ending Sept. 27.

In addition to the dozen or so vendors regularly available to guests of the farmers market, Yeager said there will be live music from a new performer every week and food trucks on the north side of the town square in Newton. Yeager said there will be room for people to bring lawn chairs for music performances.

Yeager said starting in July she hopes to feature local groups and agencies for outreach purposes. For instance, she envisioned having individuals with the Newton Police Department or Newton Fire Department downtown with their equipment or vehicles.

Ever since the farmers market shifted from the courthouse lawn to North Second Avenue between West Second Street North and First Street, Yeager has noticed an increase in attendance. Woody said the sturdier street ground is ideal for vendors and visitors, which could have attributed to the bump in visits.

Yeager agrees the location change and altered set up from previous years created an inviting environment. But she’s also convinced people want to support local more than even, especially when the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to put some of those folks out of business.

Seeing the farmers market grow means good things for Newton Main Street, too. Yeager said it bolsters community involvement and reminds people of the amenities they have downtown. The businesses around the square often keep their doors open for farmers market to keep that commerce momentum going.

“It’s exciting that they’re wanting to see and have that traffic down here,” Yeager said of downtown business owners. “I think it opens up for people that don’t normally come to our downtown. They can see that, oh, there are stores here! Let’s check that out the next time we’re in town.”

That same attitude also translates to the vendors at the Newton Farmers Market, of which there will be plenty to choose from this season. Woody, who owns Nancy’s General Store in downtown Newton, said she will even spotlight a vendor every week, giving people more to look forward to.

Yeager highlighted Woody’s progression from a frequent farmers market producer to a brick-and-mortar business owner as a goal she wants every vendor to achieve. She wants to see vendors thrive and make it to that next level. In order to do that, Newton needs a robust farmers market.

“Shop local and support these people,” Yeager said.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com