City Market is “Where the Locals Go”

“Where the locals go” is the City Market’s theme for 2008. It serves as a reminder of our daily commitment to the community as a gathering place for people of all ages. From our thirty plus year-round tenants and the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday farmers’ markets, to the festivals, concerts and new movie series, the City Market is truly a unique destination which attracts thousands of visitors of all ages. The City Market draws more than 700,000 people together annually.

Food Festivals are one effective way the City Market promotes buying local, homegrown produce and the benefits of healthy living and concerts and other events expose new customers to the City Market. By broadening the market experience with new events it elevates the City Market’s reputation with a younger generation and families as well as reinforces its value to the repeat customer.

City Market Food Festival Series
Back for a second season, the Food Festival Series will take place the first Saturday of every month June through October. The festivals focus on produce over the growing season including berries, tomatoes, corn, melons and the fall harvest. The festivals feature themed contests, activities and demonstrations to complement the family friendly environment and produce readily available at the City Market. Recipe sampling will also provide the opportunity to try fresh produce in a new way. The City Market Food Festival Series is sponsored in part by the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund, Renewal by Andersen, the University of Missouri Extension Office and the City Market.

June 7-Berry Festival
Berry beautiful baby contest, berried treasure, berry stomp, recipe sampling, storytelling, arts & crafts, Shatto Milk Company product sampling and baby calf petting display.

July 5-Tomato Festival
Salsa contest, tomato putt-putt, tomato toss and knock the cans off game, recipe sampling, live music by the String Beans, storytelling, face painting, arts & crafts, salsa dancing demonstration, bird and pet adoptions.

August 2-Corn Festival
Corny kid joke contest, corn toss, corn shucking and corn football, recipe sampling, storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts.

September 6 - Melon Festival
Melon bowling, melon shot put, melon seed spitting and melon soccer, recipe sampling, storytelling, face painting, art and craft projects pet adoptions, Shatto Milk Company product sampling and baby calf petting display.

October 4 - Harvest Festival
Another successful season will be celebrated at the City Market’s Harvest Festival. The fourth annual Harvest Festival Olympics will be the highlight of the day with corn shucking, musical hay bales, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin soccer rounding out the Olympic “events.” Additional activities include storytelling, face painting, arts & crafts, hayrides, recipe sampling, bird adoptions and the City Market Pumpkin Patch.

City Market Cinema
The City Market is working with the Kansas City Parks & Recreation Department to bring a series of offbeat movie classics to the City Market’s outdoor, open-air venue. Scheduled the last Friday evening of July, August and September, the City Market’s unique urban atmosphere will be an ideal location for the community to come together and enjoy a movie on a beautiful summer evening. Admission is free; movies begin at 9:00 p.m. and will be located in the City Market Park at Third and Grand. Bring your blanket and enjoy these City Market Cinema selections:

July 25 - Animal House
August 29 - Blues Brothers
September 26 - Rocky Horror Picture Show

2008 Farmers’ Market of the Year
As one of the most enduring farmers’ markets in the state of Missouri, with a one hundred fifty year history, staff has worked diligently to promote the many benefits of buying local, homegrown produce. The City Market is honored to have received the 2008 Missouri Farmers’ Market of the Year award from AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association. The City Market was also awarded Best Advertising Campaign, Best Photo and 2008 Champion of the Year.

The City Market is many things to many people – a cultural center representing the most diverse area in Kansas City, a farmers’ market linking growers to the community, an eclectic music venue for eager fans, a connection to the past preserving local history and an old friend at the root of precious memories for many. The City Market is proud to be a destination for locals and tourist looking for a taste of Kansas City. For more information about the City Market or any of the City Market events, visit http://www.thecitymarket.org/.

Where the locals go: The City Market is open 7 days a week, year ‘round. The Farmers’ Market is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.