Winter Farmers' Market Returns Indoors, Draws Thousands

Crowds survey the many booths and available items at the Des Moines Downtown Winter Farmers' Market on Saturday, day two of the event. It lasts until Sunday afternoon. Photo: Andrew Houp

(Des Moines, Iowa) -- The Downtown Winter Farmers' market was underway for a second day on Saturday. The three-day event this weekend at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines marked the first time it has been back indoors since before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands have attended so far, according to Downtown Farmers' Market manager, Megan Renkel.

"It turned out really well, we've been outside the last two years," Renkel said, "we've seen quite a few thousand people already this morning, so it's going well."

Dozens of vendor booths offered everything from handmade soap to popcorn. "We worked like crazy this week to try to get the event going," said Angie Brackett, running the "Jeffepop" popcorn and treat stand. It's our first year here, so we weren't sure what to expect, but it's been a great event so far."

According to Renkel, the outdoor Farmer's Market started in 1971 and the winter market started in 2009. The outdoor market returns in early May.


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