Children dance on a parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, during the first Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan
If you’re a fan of the crowds and excitement of the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids, chances are, you’ll love the Market After Dark.
The first-ever nighttime market in Cedar Rapids sports everything that the morning markets offer: a sea of people, fresh veggies, prepared food, music, dogs and strollers, with the addition of a party atmosphere, complete with festival lighting, adult beverages and even couches.
Jeanne White of Jeanne’s Soaps, a longtime vendor at the Saturday morning Downtown Farmers Markets, said she saw her regular customers, with some new additions at Market After Dark.
“I’m seeing a lot more younger people, which is good,” said White, who put in a long day that started Saturday morning at the Des Moines Farmers Market, before selling her soaps and other products in Cedar Rapids from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.
Dennis Rehberg of Rehberg’s Pork, echoed White’s sentiments.
“It’s a completely different crowd,” he said, adding that sales of his pork products looked good at the Market After Dark.
The market also offered an opportunity for vendors on the waiting list for the morning markets.
Karen Sedlacek, who creates hair ribbons and other accessories as part of Cherry’s Capuche, said she was grateful to be a part of the nighttime market.
“We were really excited when we learned we got in,” she said.
The Caribbean Kitchen’s stand was so busy that it sold out of some of its items during Market After Dark. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Prepared food vendors also appeared to be among the winners at the nighttime market.
“People come here to eat,” said Patrick Rashed of the Caribbean Kitchen, adding that he had no idea what to expect at the first nighttime market, and sold out of some of his Jamaican food before the night ended. “I would do this all the time.”
Downtown bars, restaurants and other businesses that stayed open also saw an influx of customers during the event.
Especially at the outset, customers walked shoulder-to-shoulder through Second and Third Avenue SE and along Third Street. Adults were allowed to carry beer sold at beverage stations throughout the venue, but not beyond the fenced-in streets.
“It’s a zoo,” said Ron Henderson of Cedar Rapids, one of the thousands of customers who checked out the market.
His wife, Lois Henderson, noted that fewer fresh produce vendors were at the nighttime market, compared to the morning markets, but both said they enjoyed the music and seeing many people they knew at the event.
The Market After Dark was added to the regular market schedule to mark the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Farmers Market, and was patterned after similar events across the country.
As of 10 p.m., a counter at one of the five entrances had recorded 6,300 people.
Pam Hinman, communications manager for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, said estimates on the number of visitors to the inaugural event would be available later this week.
Looking for a slower pace? Find more than 50 farmers markets in Eastern Iowa on the Homegrown list and see images from the first Market After Dark, below:
Crowds make their way to downtown Cedar Rapids for the first Market After Dark on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Customers line up for food from O’s Grill on Saturday, Aug. 29, during the first Market After Dark in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Food vendors and lights added a party atmosphere to the Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Alisabeth Von Presley’s band takes the stage on Third Street SE during Market After Dark. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Patrick Rashed of Caribbean Kitchen checks the chicken off the grill at Market After Dark. Rashed said business was excellent at the first nighttime market in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Customers line up for drinks on Third Avenue SE during Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Gordy’s Goodies was among several vendors offering fresh produce at the first Market After Dark in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Irish Jam entertains the crowd on the main stage Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, during Market After Dark. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
A DJ plays tunes next to Guaranty Bank in downtown Cedar Rapids during the first Market After Dark. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Beverage stands kept busy Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, during Market After Dark, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Even dogs got into the mood of Market After Dark with festive lights in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Customers were allowed to carry their beverages throughout the designated streets of the market. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Prepared foods were another hot item at Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Children found plenty to eat at the first Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Stillwater Greenhouse, a mainstay at the Downtown Farmers Market, was one of about 80 vendors at the first Market After Dark in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Festival lighting shines on Larry and Helen Kubalek’s Wood Visions stand at Market After Dark. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Couches provided a cozy place to watch bands perform during the first Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
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