You know it's almost summertime when Farmers' Market season is here! As we experience the lovely mix of sun and rain that May in the INW brings, everyone is a little antsy to get outdoors as much as possible. Thankfully, markets are a great way to get your fresh air fix.
We've talked about how great farmers' markets can be in the fall (check out our fall market post here), but there is also something special when everyone comes out of hibernation in spring. Farmers' markets take the freshness of this season to the next level as our local farmers and artisans set up shop. One of the coolest parts is that the markets are ever-changing: as the seasons and weather transition from spring to summer to fall, so do the markets! The produce, plants, and products are always fresh, so even if you can't make it every week, we definitely recommend stopping by at least once each season to see what's new.
Photo by Jill Wilson, Kootenai County Farmers' Market
Markets are some of the best places to catch the local vibes of a community. There, you can truly eat local - straight from the farmers who grow the stuff! When you want a taste of the INW in all forms - from produce to pastries to pizza - farmers' markets are your best bet; they're about the freshest you can get without picking the food from the ground yourself. If you're looking for a little entrepreneurial inspiration, markets are full of it! Vendors are passionate about what they do, and the creativity they use for sharing that passion with the public abounds in these spaces. Supporting and connecting with so many small-business owners in one place is bound to get your own creative gears turning and grow your local-love. Markets are for families, foodies, and dreamers alike.
With live music, food for every kind of taste bud, and so many uniquely crafted items to browse, there's something for everyone to enjoy (especially with free-entry and pup-friendly spaces). And there are plenty of markets to choose from!
Here's the full lineup for our area:
The Kootenai County Farmers' Market offers two times and locations to suit your fancy!
#1: in Hayden on the corner of Prairie and HW-95. Every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you'll find tons of vendors nestled in the pines within their red wooden booths. The smell of kettle-corn fills the air as local acoustic bands play; this location sets up that classic farmers' market atmosphere. The Hayden market runs through October 19th. Heads up: though dogs are allowed at the downtown Cd'A market, only certified service dogs are allowed at the Hayden location.
Both photos by Jill Wilson, Kootenai County Farmers' Market
#2: in downtown Cd'A on Sherman and 5th. This location sets up shop every Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. (perfect for dinnertime!) Whether you're clocking off work, you're meeting a friend for dinner, you're exploring Tubbs, or you're taking the kiddos to the park, it's worth taking a stroll down 5th on Wednesday evenings to check out what's fresh. This market season ends a little earlier than Hayden, on September 25th.
You don't have to be left out just because you live farther away!
The Athol Farmers Market has been going strong since 2017! Stop by every Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. through October for rural North Idaho's best. Catch this market before the end of October.
Rathdrum, you've finally got your own market too! Hosted by Rathhdrum Parks and Rec, the Main Street Markets are happening on Thursdays, July 25th, August 22nd, and September 26th from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Don't miss these three events - complete with live music, a beer garden, and vendors of all kinds!
We see you, Kellogg! You can find the Silver Valley Community Market every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Kellogg City Park. If you call any of the small towns of the Silver Valley home, make sure to swing by and celebrate your community!
Both photos by Jill Wilson, Kootenai County Farmers' Market
Washington also has some amazing farmers' markets to choose from just in the Spokane area alone, and if you missed some of your favorite vendors in Cd'A, many of them can be found in these markets too!
Post Falls peeps, you're just about halfway between both the Kootenai markets and the Liberty Lake Farmers Market - best of both worlds!
The Liberty Lake Farmers Market happens every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Liberty Lake's Town Square Park. Here, you'll find just about everything: Bean & Pie, crepes, a coffee truck brewing up hot lattes, all the honey products, and baby-safe sunscreen. Located in a grassy park with a playground and eating areas, this is a perfect event for the fam. This market runs through October 12th.
The Spokane Valley Farmers Market is making its debut year! Check out their market season every Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. starting June 7th. Located in the Spokane Valley CenterPlace parking lot next to Discovery Playground, this brand-new market proves promising for their wide variety of quality vendors. Check them out by September 13th!
The Kendall Yards Night Market, located in the Kendall Yards neighborhood right across Monroe Street from Riverfront Park, is where urban meets nature. Every Wednesday night from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. through September, you'll find local farmers, makers, and bakers right in the heart of Spokane. This market is hoppin' with food trucks, special event nights, and a whole lotta dog-lovers.
Here are some other markets the Spokanites may enjoy (or the most enthusiastic farmers' market-visiting Idahoans) :
The Fairwood Farmers Market:
Tuesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Millwood Farmers Market:
Wednesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market:
Fridays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Hillyard Farmers Market:
Mondays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Market in the South Perry District:
Thursdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Seeing how many markets we have the chance to enjoy shows just how important these farmers' markets are to the community. It is exciting to see local-lovers coming together to support each other, and the results are excellent opportunities for consumers to partner with small/local/family businesses by purchasing quality, unique goods - or even just showing up and shootin' the breeze with new people. Farmers' markets are a wonderful way to bring communities together.
Oh, and there are lots of dogs (need we say more?)
Photo by Jill Wilson, Kootenai County Farmers Market
If you're heading to a market this weekend, make sure to rep your CDA Idaho gear and share with us on Instagram! The weather has been a toss-up lately, so make sure you're prepared for it all with both our new summer tanks and one of our sweatshirts! And Saturday mornings always call for a hat day (who wants to shower when you can just sleep in and wear a great hat?) 😉
