The warmer weather signals the start of various summer activities, including the bustling farmers markets. The Champaign Farmers Market is set to open in its original spot next week, bringing excitement to both vendors and visitors.
While the market shifted last year to the northern area near the Orpheum Theatre due to ongoing construction, vendors are returning downtown. The new, bustling spot will be the freshly completed Plaza in front of Big Grove Tavern.
The first phase of the Plaza’s makeover is now complete, offering fresh seating, new pavement, and a concert stage. Organizers from the Champaign Farmers Market have collaborated with the city to enhance this year’s experience, ensuring more activities and attractions for attendees.
That includes having live music and sip and shop events where people can grab a drink from Collective Pour or Big Grove Tavern and look around.
“It’s a really easy market to just walk around, shop and then the awesome thing is you can just come into the plaza with all this awesome seating and the stage area and it just encourages people to kind of hang out more and just be more of a downtown, Tuesday afternoon, evening hang out,” said Blake Hackler, Food Access Manager of the farmers market.
He said they’ll have nearly 20 vendors and some of them are new, such as a baked goods set up called “Everyday Feast.” Hackler also said they’re hoping to bring in activities like arts and crafts and a candle making class as well.
The farmers market will be moving officially on June 10. They’ll be there every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m.
