NEXT ON MAIN STREET

PHOTO BY ALYSSA HUGLEN Svihel Vegetable Farm will be returning for this year’s downtown Shakopee farmers market. this summerPHOTO BY ALYSSA HUGLEN Farmers market returns to Shakopee

BY ALYSSA HUGLEN

The farmers market returns to downtown Shakopee this summer with new times and new food and drink options.

The market is located in the Lewis Street parking lot and will feature produce, meats, cheeses and more from local vendors.

Instead of taking place in the afternoon like previous years, this year’s market will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for six Wednesdays starting on June 22. These dates are the same as the Rhythm on the Rails concert series.

Heather Proskey, Shakopee Chamber’s Main Street and special events director, said this time change should bring a new, exciting twist to the market.

“This year’s farmers market is taking on a completely different look and feel,” she said. “It’s going to be more of a quaint farmers market.”

To make the most of this time change, Proskey said this market is going to include vendors with unique breakfast-related items. An Edina Coffee Roasters coffee truck will be on location, and Heritage Angus Farms will have breakfast sandwiches for sale.

“We’re truly trying to create a place for people to get their produce before they go off to work. Grab a breakfast sandwich, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy their day downtown,” Proskey said.

Produce will be the main focus for the downtown market over items like arts and crafts. Customers will be able to find a range of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and spreads. The Wisconsin Cheese Outlet will be attending as well as Shakopee market regular Svihel Vegetable Farm.

While this year’s market is currently scheduled for these six Wednesdays, Proskey said additional dates could eventually be tacked on depending on how produce looks around fall.

Shakopee has held a downtown farmers market since 2018. The market was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and came back for its “revival season” this past year. Proskey said she is thrilled to have the market for another year and hopes it becomes more of a staple in the community.

She added that having the market on the same days as Rhythm on the Rails should make it an exciting way for residents and visitors to spend the whole day in downtown Shakopee and take advantage of all the local shops and attractions in the area.

“We really want to make it something that people come down early, do a little farmers market shopping, and maybe go grab a bite to eat for lunch,” Proskey said. “Then stick and stay in our downtown … and feel that sense of community and being together again after a long drought of us not being able to gather in mass.”

Dates & Additional Info

Where: Lewis Street Parking Lot Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dates:

 Wednesday, June 22  Wednesday, June 29  Wednesday, July 13  Wednesday, July 20  Wednesday, July 27  Wednesday, Aug. 3 For more information on the market including vendor applications, contact Heather Proskey at (952) 641-9044 or hproskey@shakopee.org.