Evanston Farmers’ Market Fall Festival Offers Weekend Family Fun

Evanston is a known for it’s eclectic “small-town” feel backed by its large community. The city is hip, but also sustainably and locally conscious, which is why the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market currently celebrates its 39th season. It provides an opportunity for residents to eat seasonally, organic fresh foods grown and made by local farmers and businesses.

The upcoming Evanston Farmers’ Market this Saturday, October 25 is a highly anticipated event. The market runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. as usual, but this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. the Evanston Fall Festival will kick off with fall-themed activities for young children, accompanied by the gorgeous autumn backdrop. Children are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes, and those 12 and under will receive a small pumpkin to decorate in the southwest market café area. Along with the festival, customers will have the opportunity to purchase from over 50 vendors, anything from fruits, vegetables, flowers and cheese, to milk, eggs, baked goods, and meat.

Myra Gorman, the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market Manager since 2012, commented on the upcoming weekend’s festival with enthusiastic expectations. “Well, [the market is] definitely a Saturday morning destination. Aside from just the vendors and the homegrown artists, we also have restaurants serving food that [customers] can purchase and eat at our café. We have demo cooking from some of the chefs in the neighborhood, so it really is more of a community event,” she said. Gorman continued, “We have pumpkins for the kids to decorate and some make n’ take activities. We encourage the kids to come to the market in costume, and then they’ll get some special treats.” Activities include a “guess the weight” contest with Jack and Jill pumpkins.

Returning market vendors run most of the pop-up booths. They each have experienced the great sense of community the market entails weekend upon weekend in Evanston, as owner Barbara Pracy of Marilyn’s Bakery could confirm. Her husband is known as the ‘Pie Guy’ at his booth, where he vends delectable baked goods. In lieu of the Fall Festival, pumpkin pie and apple dumplings will be a few of the many seasonally themed items on their menu. These sweet treats are perfect for children and adults to enjoy during the abundance of fall activities.

Located on the intersection of University Place and Oak Avenue, the Farmers’ Market is accessible via CTA Bus 93, which runs every 25 to 30 minutes on Saturdays. Free parking is available in the adjacent 1800 Maple Avenue Self Park Garage through ticket validation at the City of Evanston tent. Dogs are not permitted at the market. Reusable, biodegradable bags will also be available for purchase on site, and all vendors will accept LINK cards.

The market and festival will attract nearly 7,000 customers throughout its duration, and Gorman believes that the family turnout will be great this year. Whether customers are in the mood for crepes, carrots, or caramel corn, she assures the Evanston Famers’ Market won’t disappoint.