The market will run from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Central Avenue between Seventh and Ninth streets in downtown Fort Dodge.

Lydia Schuur, communications specialist for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance and market manager, said there will be 29 vendors at the event, representing local small businesses, food trucks, artists, craftsmen and more. A local band, the Gabriel Alvez Jazz Trio, will provide live music.

New for this week will be a bus from C-SPAN, which is a mobile multimedia classroom to engage community members with C-SPAN’s political programming and educational resources.

“It’s a whole interactive educational experience for people to learn about American government, American history and to learn more about what they do at C-SPAN,” said Schuur.

-Messenger file photo by Hans Madsen
Chloe Darby, 10, at left, along with her friend Hope Marsh, 9, enjoy Market on Central in 2017.

Bus visitors may be asked to participate in C-SPAN’s “Voices from the Road” video project, in which participants are asked the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”

Market on Central is in its ninth season, but this was Schuur’s first year as manager.

“I like having this opportunity for people to come down to Fort Dodge to downtown, to experience it, to maybe try something new — whether it’s a food or find a new item that’s cool that you maybe can’t get someplace else,” Schuur said.

“We’ve got a good selection of food vendors, homemade items, repurposed items,” she added. “The ponies will be back for this market, which is always a popular spot for families to come and check out.”

With a favorable weather forecast for Thursday evening, Schuur is optimistic for the event’s turnout.

“It’ll be a nice evening in downtown with good music and some great food and cool vendors to check out, and hopefully it’s a great evening for everyone,” Schuur said.