Barring a late-season weather event in this wacky meteorological year, some 50 vendors are expected to unpack their wares at the downtown Evanston market, behind the Hilton Garden Inn, on Saturday, May 5, as shoppers begin to enjoy the bounty of Midwest farmers for the 37th consecutive season.
Official hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., although it is highly likely that some early risers will show up even earlier as the trucks pull in from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, milk, eggs, flavored oils, pasta, and bakery items, as well as flowers and plants.
Free parking is available in the adjacent city parking garage at 1800 Maple Ave.
The market features special events throughout the season, and artwork by home grown artists will be showcased and sold from June through October.
Reusable and biodegradable bags are sold on site for those who don’t bring their own containers, and Illinois Link cards are accepted.
Three other farmers markets will open later this spring. Ridgeville Farmers’ Market will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays from May 30 through October 10, except for July 4.
The Central Street Green Market, west of Green Bay Road in Independence Park, will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning May 30.
And the West End Ethnic Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays at Church Street and Dodge Avenue, beginning June 30.