Customers shop at Pasta of the Prairie during opening day of the Downtown Farmers Market on June 19, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Downtown Farmers Market roared back on its opening day of the season after resorting to a drive-through system in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customers flocked to the in-person market on June 19, 2021, just as they had in years past, with relatively few indications of change.
Signs directed foot traffic to move in one direction around blocks of downtown Cedar Rapids, vendors were spaced a bit further apart and a few customers and vendors wore face masks, but otherwise, visitors still moved nearly shoulder-to-shoulder through the streets and customers queued up in non-socially distanced lines for strawberries and other popular products on the warmer than normal summer day.
Live music and other entertainment that typically attracts crowds was absent at the kickoff to the season, as part of COVID-19 safety protocols.
During a typical year, the downtown markets attract 200 vendors and 14,000 customers at each twice-monthly event, so organizers faced an overwhelming challenge to meet state COVID-19-related restrictions last spring, such as ensuring social distancing.
In response, they implemented an online, drive-through market, with 1,587 orders placed and more than $82,247 spent with local small business owners during the 2020 season.
Sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, the downtown market has become one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest.
See more photos from the opening day, below, and find hours, dates, locations and other details on nearly 50 farmers markets in Eastern Iowa on the Homegrown list.
Attendees were asked to move in one direction during opening day of the 2021 Downtown Farmers Market season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Strollers and pedestrians make their way through downtown Cedar Rapids during the first farmers market of the season on June 19, 2021. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Customers buy flowers from Pheasant Run Farm at the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Attendees cross railroad tracks during the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Tomatoes are sold at Buck Creek Produce of Iowa City at the Downtown Farmers Market on June 19, 2021. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Customers look at a bee display at the Noble Bee Honey booth during the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Sophie, a miniature goldendoodle, was among several dogs at opening day of the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Eggs fry on the grill of Feedwell Kitchen & Bakery during the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Customers walk past plants at the first Downtown Farmers Market of the season in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)A duck mascot greets children near Greene Square during the Downtown Farmers Market on June 19, 2021. (photo/Cindy Hadish)The Cedar Rapids Public Library held a book sale during opening day of the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Children play in the fountain at Greene Square during the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Children get a ride through the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids during the first farmers market of the season. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Customers shop for succulents at Benjegerdes Greenhouse during the Downtown Farmers Market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)Crowds fill Fifth Street near Third Avenue SE on June 19, 2021, during the first Downtown Farmers Market of the season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
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