Shucks, what a turnout
Sweet corn, handmade goods and music drew crowds to Fort Dodge Farmers Market
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Four Carlson kids from Manson and Rockwell City sat in the back of a pickup truck Saturday morning at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market, cleaning and shucking sweet corn as fast as customers could buy it.
Ava, 13, packaged it up. Olivia, 11, Melody, 9, and Elliott, 6, worked alongside, happily readying corn to be sold to a line of customers.
“We picked all the corn last night,” Ava Carlson said. “We’re doing pretty good. It’s been a good morning of sales.”
The line for Carlson sweet corn was steady throughout the Farmers Market which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at 11 N. 25th St.
Sweet corn was not the only thing customers at the Farmers Market were buying. Vendors sold homegrown watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, cucumbers, potatoes, green beans, and jalapenos. Other vendors had homemade jams and jellies, sweet treats, pistachios, and even crepes made to order on-site.
Jessica Nemechek had a crochet hook in her hands and was working on a new whale design. The Badger woman sells her handmade crafts and decor at Lady Mae Designs and kept crocheting between customers. This is her second year at the Fort Dodge market, and she said she enjoys it.
"This is my second year at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market," said Nemechek. "I enjoy it. There's a lot of vendors and a lot to choose from. It's still early in the season, too."
Members of the Fort Dodge Area Symphony even played throughout the morning, drawing a crowd of listeners and applause.
Turnout has been strong this season, said Diane Peterson, a board member of the Fort Dodge Farmers Market.
“It is great to see both our loyal customers and new faces at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market,” Peterson said. “We are so proud to be part of this community and support our local charities.”