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Market on Central is back

Event returns with more food, music on Thursday nights

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Chloe Darby, 10, at left, along with her friend Hope Marsh, 9, enjoy the first Market on Central Thursday afternoon along Central Avenue in downtown Fort Dodge. Market on Central starts up again this week, returning to Thursday nights in historic downtown Fort Dodge.

Market on Central, the outdoor event that features a variety of art, music, food, and other products, will return for its eighth season on June 14 in historic downtown Fort Dodge.

The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

It’s the second year Market on Central will be held at night, according to Jon Shields, communications specialist at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“I think there is a fun element to being out together during more of the evening hours,” Shields said. “A different feel than what you might have on a Saturday morning.”

Market on Central will be held on the second and fourth Thursday in June, July, and August, along Central Avenue, between Seventh and Ninth Street.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen The Fort Dodge Fire Department's giant flag flies high over Central Avenue as a special Thursday afternoon Market on Central gets underway to kick off the 2017 season.

Shields reports that on a given night, between 700 and 1,500 people could make their way downtown to enjoy the entertainment.

Mace Hathaway will perform on June 14. He is a singer-songwriter from Council Bluffs.

Produce vendors, arts and crafts vendors, a number of food vendors and food trucks, will be lined up.

Main Street Fort Dodge has been vital to organizing Market on Central, Shields said.

Some downtown businesses may extend their hours to 7 p.m., he said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Among the many things to eat, wear, collect and grow available at the Market on Central are succulents and other plants from Granny T's Garden in Badger.

“Patrons of the market would be encouraged to check out some of the downtown businesses,” he said.

Kids will have the opportunity to learn about the Fort Dodge Fire Department. Firefighters will have at least one of their trucks and some equipment on hand.

The Bike Shop will have a bicycle valet on the north side of Eighth Street.

“We really want to encourage the cyclists that would come downtown,” Shields said. “This will be an added benefit for a bicyclist.”

The Little Rednecks will offer pony rides.

“This is a great attraction for families,” Shields said.

Attendees will have the opportunity to paint and play musical instruments.

“We have a great partnership with the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association with Shelly Bottorff,” Shields said. “She has helped us secure music talent and has developed creative elements for students and families to take part in different activities centering around the arts.”

Shields said although there has been a change in time, much of Market on Central will remain the same.

“We want to stay true to who we are as a farmers’ market and continue the same traditions,” he said. “We want to continue to offer great entertainment value and engagement in the community through Market on Central.”

Anyone interested in registering as a vendor or volunteering for Market on Central may contact Jon Shields at (515) 955-5500.

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