Love Your Farmer's Market Contest

They have a HUGE variety of foods, arts and crafts - something that will please everyone.

It's just a hop, skip and a jump up the highway on Saturday morning!

Our city rocks! The folks are friendly, the product selection is wonderful. A fabulous family activity!

Bc My family and I all love to enjoy the surroundings, the music, dancing and what not down there.. Plus looking at all the hard work of growing food, and the beautiful flowers are soo gorgeous, and not to even mention the crafts are so awesome! I love it.. I wish it could be year around.. My family Looks forward to the farmer's market downtown cuz its a day we can look forward to of having an awesome time down there!

I love all the local produce and other products

fresh everything and very entertaining for ALL ages!

Great place to spend the morning.Best people and the best shopping.

I like the large variety of venders and location. Saturday mornings also work well with my schedule.

Cedar Rapids does not have a lot of community activities available. The market is a great opportunity to get people in the community out & about. It's a huge boost to our economy which has been destroyed in the past year by the flood of 2008.

I try to attend the CR Downtown Market each month when I return for a family visit. It is so great to see all the vendors with their items for sale. Love the flowers and pastries. Keep up the good work in attracting more vendors and entertainment for the whole family.

great choices of produce good atmosphere.. FUN

I just went for my first time this past weekend and was amazed at the variety of vendors and the welcoming atmosphere. I think its an amazing opportunity for our local small business to showcase themselves on a grander scale. The flowers are beautiful, the vegetables delicious and the vendors are always friendly! I plan to go everytime from now on!

Great fun!!

This year, the CR Downtown Market is so big and offers such a wonderful variety of goods. People come for coffee, fresh produce, homecooked flavors, flowers, garden art, pastries, jewelry, photography, wine, brunch, free music and entertainment for adults & children alike! Bravo!

This is a fabulous opportunity to see the best Cedar Rapids has to offer. There are locally grown produce, locally produced goods, great food and a chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine with other Cedar Rapidians!

Nice variety of vendors, many vendors in the downtown atmosphere. Especially nice to be able to have this with back downtown since the flood last year.

It has such great energy, it supports local farmers/ economy, and it is resilient. It survived the flood of 2008.

Farmers Market is great and reminds me of getting up early on Saturdays to attend market at the round house with my grandmother. I love sharing the experience with my own family and friends.

The C.R. Downtown Farmer's Market is awesome--its like going to a carnval!!! My kids are entertained the whole time with free balloons, food samples and live music. There's plenty of fresh produce for me to buy and I love getting to sample wine from local wineries that I might not otherwise find the time to visit.

It Rocks!

A friend who grew up in CR told me of the great memories she had buying food at the CRDFM, and that it was wrecked in the recent flooding.

This is the first year I've been to the Downtown Farmer's Market and I love it. I've been to every one this year and plan on going to the rest of them. I love the size of it, I love the food, I love the entertainment, I love the variety, I love the location, I love the people.

I was born and raised in CR and have felt that it was at the core of my being and values all my life. After over 50 years away, it is still home. The Farmers' Market was a regular part of Mom's shopping routine each week, followed by "Mee Too" and later the Sun Mart. Happy memories of a special time and place!!

I'm proud of my community

Every town needs one

CR Farmer's Market is progressing from pick-ups @ the round house to being aa real event. I love all the crafts, wine and muscians. Of course, the produce is wonderful also.

its the BEST !

I live in C.R.

We love the idea of the Farmer's Market in the heart of the city. We love the small town feeling it brings and the atmosphere of the market. We love the variety of vendors and the friendliness of the vendors. We LOVE the CR Downtown Farmers' Market!

I love to support local small businesses, and it's like a big block party, only you get to come home with great stuff!

It's got everything you need... and some stuff you didn't know you needed until you see it!

It was just the greatest overall one I have ever seen. A nice midwest flavor to it.

Great home-grown vegetables, plants, crafts. Most of all, the vendors are AWESOME. Lots and lots of fun, and something for everyone, and a good time is had by all!

Because I have lots of family in Iowa and they frequent Farmers Markets and swear by it!!! Good luck on winning!!! If you want to eat RIGHT you go to the Farmers Market and eat good local food.

THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE THE FRESHEST PRODUCE AND THAT IS WHY WE GO TO A FARMERS MARKET.

My late mother-in-law used to shop there. Also, Cedar Rapids suffered immense damage in the floods of 2008 and is still struggling to recover.

I Went to Cedar Rapids after the floods and worked in the Emergency Operations Center and saw the devestation.

BECAUSE I REMEEMBER AS A CHILD GOING THERE WITH MY MOM AND GRAMMA (WHO LIVED WITH US). IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND GREAT FRESH PRODUCE!

This is not just a great market but an essential part of downtown CR's recovery.

Proof positive that there *is* cool stuff to do in Cedar Rapids.

The whole family looks forward to it

This is the most amazing market in the region. There is live entertainment, wine tastings, a cooking demonstration, hundreds of vendors and a great vibe. It is awesome to see downtown Cedar Rapids jam packed with people enjoying fresh produce and locally made products. It is also great to see entreprenuers like Primo Burrito and the breakdancing kid making a go for it. By far the best market I have ever been to.

Variety of items available, upbeat atmosphere, running into friends, quality of fresh market items.

IT ROCKS!!!

Breakfast Burrito's, Breakfast Gyro's and sure there are lots of veggies!

I support the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market beucase of the number of vendors they have you can get everything you want or need. Plus it is a fun environment.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN C.R. I REMEMBER MANY AN EARLY MORN WHEN MY MOTHER WOULD DRAG ME TO THE MARKET TO GET FRESH CUCUMBERS SO SHE COULD MAKE PICKLES! A GREAT CHILDHOOD MEMORY! NOTHING GROWN ANYWHERE LIKE IOWA!!!!!!!

My husband,friends and I love the market. We make a morning of it.We first meet for coffee,usually Panera's,visit for an hour and a half then zip off to the market. I tell all my friends an acquaintences they need to check it out. ROCK ON

It's great finding fresh produce and plants. They also have restaurant samples to try before you go there and spend money. Also, musical entertainment!

great variety, supports our local economy, good quality products and fun to shop!

It has everything you would want from a farmers market!!

It helps the community and shows that Cedar Rapids can't be stoped just because of a little water :)

I like to know the area where my produce, etc. comes from; and, it helps to keep the local vendors.

Because it has EVERYTHING from baked goods to wire art! Most importantly, it brings life to the Cedar Rapids community!

Our farmer's market was one of the first institutions to return after last summer's epic flood. Since then, it has been a source of community, fun and fresh produce that makes me proud of my hometown!!

I try to buy locally-grown produce whenever possible, and I enjoy the various performances!

It brings people downtown and helps give CR a sense of community.

I look forward to the market and have it in my planner for each Saturday it is open this summer. I enjoy the fresh, home grown produce and flowers. The craft type products gives me a chance to select special gifts for friends. I love the festive feeling and consider it a great networking opportunity. The Downtown District provides the community with a wonderful way to relax and have a great shopping experience!

I think it is a wonderful thing for the City of Cedar Rapids and I also think it should be more often.

It keeps getting better and better. I used to make it when I could, but now I NEVER miss it.

I always support local artists, farmers and business people. This is a great way to eat healthier too. Besides where else can we go for a party with wine, flowers, desserts, music and salad, for breckfast!

I love the downtown farmers market!!! I wish they had it every Saturday!!!!!!!!

what a variety, I love it!

My daughter is three and just loves to go too the farmers market. She

It's a great way to help bring Cedar Rapids back from last year's devastating flood. There is a lot to see and do - flowers, veggies, crafts, etc.

It is great!!

When I mingle with hundreds of other people at the CR Downtown Farmers' Market, more than at any other time or place, I have a sense that Cedar Rapids truly is recovering from last year's devastating flood -- with a vital center city area. I love the variety -- from coffee and food items to fresh produce, flowers, arts, crafts, jewelry, clothes, and booths representing organzations such as the Cedar Rapids Public Library (on its own post-flood rebuilding journey). Shopping at the CR Downtown Market is a way to buy locally grown or produced items and cast my lot with my struggling, but determined, city. This creates an unspoken bond among all the people I meet and talk with at the market and gives it a sense of joy and resilience. Come on out and experience it for yourself!

It is great

Great environment.

Big variety - food, crafts, produce, entertainment. Something for everything, including pets & kids. Totally took a big risk reformatting this market and critics said it wouldn't work. But they did it, and people came!

It's a terrific way to socialize and to purchase fresh locally grown produce and products.

Great community activity, support local vendors, reinforce community strength in the downtown area.

variety, variety, variety--and entertainment!

It is large with a nice array to choose from and very family oriented.

Wonderful variety of vendors who offer high quality food items and crafts. Friendly vendors, great people and organizers.

Visiting the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. You'll find good food, arts, crafts, fresh garden produce, fresh flowers and plants, wine, bakery items, jewelry and much more. Plus enjoying a variety of entertainment as well as meeting old friends and making new ones.

I love the fresh produce...the veggies and flowers!!! It is always such a fun way to start the day!!

Lots of great vendors, lots of great food!

It's fun and a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

The farmers market has become a tradition with me and my 3 year old granddaughter. I've stroller her around for the past two years and she always gets a oatmeal raisin cookie from a special vendor she has grown to know. I love the produce from there as well as visiting with the vendors and the other patrons. My wife now gets up on Saturday mornings and go with us as well as our next door neighbors. We've made it a neighborhood event.

There are many great vendors, including non-profit groups. Live music adds to the fun.

Like all the variety of items to buy and look at. its fun to go and see all the people, you never know who you might see at market.

There are a variety of vendors from throughout our state who attend that are always friendly and helpful.

fresh produce; envigorating atmosphere

Extensive selection, and great music.

It supports all the citizens right here in our own backyard, plus I love fresh vegetables right out of the garden!

It helps the local 'growers' & artisans and also it is a lot of FUN!

They have a great assortment of food vendors, crafts, music, live acts, and much, much more! There are thousands that attend the market each time. After the floods in June of 2008, they were one of the 1st (if not, the 1st) major event to return downtown. The staff and volunteers that make this event happen each time are incredible!

This year the most important reason is that it lifts the spirits of everyone living and working downtown despite the obvious visuals of the flood. It gives everyone a vision of what the results of the flood recovery can achieve to revitalize downtown. It enables folks and developers to continue the original vision of integrating residential into, and adjacent to, downtown. Without it, the "psychological" impact of the flood would be worse. And....... it provides great products.

Great local food and vendors

I really look forward to summer and the Saturday Downtown Farmers' Market. The vendors have the best produce around and all located where you can have fun and good eats all in one place.

It has been a very good building block for downtown CR.

The markets are great - they provide wonderful produce and other products. They are a source of great enjoyment with all the entertainment, demonstrations and vendors available.

Free enterprise and they always have great things to buy at a reasonable cost to the public.

Because the food is yum-ilicious!

It's a great way to support local farmers as well as give these farmers an opportunity to showcase the products that they have tendered to over the year. Not to mention it offers something fun for the whole family! All ages!

Lots to do, see and buy.

There is so much to see and so many people to watch. I love buying locally crafted arts and jewelry here. The produce is so fresh and grown locally. What's not to love!

The organizers have made it fun and there are so many vendors.

In just a few years it has grown to more than 160 vendors and attracts thousands of patrons. Just one year after the flood displaced the market, it is bigger and better than ever.

The wide variety of items from fresh produce and flowers to hand-made items. It is also a great place to meet family or friends and spend the morning.

I love buying fresh produce for my family

Great variety, great entertainment and a good old-fashioned family fun event!

Great produce, lots of different vendors.

AFTER A DEVASTATING FLOOD IN 20058- IT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER ON SATURDAYS. I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO THE FARMER'S MARKET.

There are fresh vegetables which I love. I love to be outside and enjoy seeing all the people.

We love the food & atmosphere - the vendors are friendly and willing to serve. The downtown district in Cedar Rapids has done a great job of putting it together and getting people interested.

Prior to the flood of 2008 the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market was a great way to add energy and vitality to the downtown. It was well attended. After the flood of 2008 the Market has proven to be a catalyst for a public outpouring of support of our local farmers, merchants and community. People want to get out, mingle, buy, eat and enjoy all that downtown Cedar Rapids has to offer. Rain or shine attendance has been great and my family loves to be a part of the crowd.

It is so much fun and great vendors!

I can always find fresh veggies and other wonderful baked goods. Everyone is always so freindly!

It's kind of a social event going to the Downtown Farmer's Market. We enjoy seeing all of the people and all of the vendors that particapate. In my mind it is one of the highlights of the things to do in Cedar Rapids.

The first time I was there I was overwhelmed with excitement! It was so much fun! The streets we're blocked off and there was live music playing on every corner. I loved the variety the market offered... fruit, veggies, flowers, honey, crafts, and the list goes on!

It is a community festival with wide choices of foods, flowers, home- and small commercially-made products where people come to meet each other and enjoy life. It's small enough to get around with plenty of variety. It brings people together and is more than grocery shopping.

Because it is a place where everyone can come together and support our community while having a terrific experience.

it transforms the core downtown area into a pedestrian only market covering several city blocks. It allows folks to slow down, smile and greet one another as friends, and take advantage of the agricultural legacy of the area and the artistic and culinary gifts of many people who use the market to showcase their skills

Its the best!!!!

I love the variety of produce and products available and the entertainment.

It's a great way to support local farmers and merchants. It's also a great way to get people back to the downtown area after last year's flood.

So many vendors. Great music. Fabulous food and I always see someone I know and love down there.

Great vendors, creative promotions, really has brought our community together and is helping to promote vibrancy in our downtown area!

Great vendors, wide variety of items and fund folks to hang out with

They just do a fantastic job! It is so fun to go to.

Great Vendors, organized and brought our community together after the floods of 08

Local food, good music, welcoming atmosphere...you can't put that taste of summer into words!

They have great food and wonderful culture!

It is a great time to go downtown and support local farmers and businesses! Keep it up!!!!

I dont live in CR but fr0m the area and love the enviroment and many different vendors

It's a fantastic event where you can catch up with family and friends as well as supporting our local community!!!

It's a wonderful family event! While shopping the tremendous vendors for vegetables, flowers and crafts I have the opportunity to run into old friends I haven't seen in years! It brings the community together.

Because we have a great community and have recently been thru so much with the floods! We ALL have to pull together and support each other!

I love the great deals, the fresh foods, and the bright smiles from local people.

They have the best produce, friendly people, great crafts and most of all it's "Cedar Rapids!"

Its a great place to shop for great food. It helps out the local farmers. And it's a lot of fun!!

It is awesome!

It is just a great event

There are many more items for sale than just produce. I love that I can get art, crafts and wine if I so choose. Not to mention a breakfast burrito and a great cup of coffee!

Good Vegies!!!

The long-standing Saturday morning market attracted around 400 visitors. Our first downtown market had 4,000. The vendors sold out in less than two hours. They generate so much more revenue. Plus it is an incredible community event that people are fanatic about.

It's a wonderful way to buy locally!

Hometown people, spirit, love and selection!

It's a great urban-oriented event that brings thousands to downtown Cedar Rapids!

There is great variety... something for everyone!

The CR Downtown Farmers' Market offers the best in the people that make up our great state-over 160 vendors, live music, cooking demonstrations, and lots more!

Because it is a sign of healing for a dowtown area that was devastated by the flood a year ago. It is great to see so many people having a good time in the downtown area again.

It brings people of all walks of life and age to the downtown area. The variety seems endless you really can get anything you would expect from a market and more.

It's a great opportunity to support local farmers, vintners and craftspeople, plus it's a true community occasion. Love it!

Always so much variety, and so many wonderful vendors make this farmers market one to not miss!

It's a great local event. It brings the community together and the support of the market is usually very big. The Farmers' Market is a nice event to have in CR after the devestation of the flood.

Phenomenal choices, outstanding vendors, great attendees in the heart of my home!

Community. Plan and simple. Plus the entertainment is always top notch from Live music, to dance companies, it's always great!

What a great way for locals growers and vendors to sell the products without spending boatloads of monies on marketing. Also provides an awesome mechanism to bring folks back downtown after the flood of 2008.

Where else can you have a breakfast burrito, sample wine, buy fresh vegetables, listen to music, buy a plant for your garden and people watch? My only suggestion= leave the dogs at home...

The CR Downtown Farmers Market was a huge hit before last year's flood, but now it has become a community-wide gathering point to embrace and celebrate our continued commitment to recovery and rebuilding better than ever. There are vendors to meet every need as well as live entertainment sprinkled throughout the venue. I usually only buy one or two items, but I always stay for more than an hour. It's simply an amazing experience that you have to see to believe.

I support CR Farmers Market because of how this community has come together and rallied like no other city I have ever lived in. This farmers market is a wonderful representation of how the city of Cedar Rapids cares about each other and triumphs over adversity.

The Farmers' Market has really helped build the downtown area after our disasterous flood last year. The atmosphere at a Saturday Farmers' Market is energizing and compelling, and it's a bonus that we get to shop locally and get delicious food too!

Venders galore; produce worth the time; and people, the people make the event. I'd drive 2 hours to go consistently

There is quite honestly something for everyone: fruit, veggies, meat, dairy, baked goods, music, bottled wine, flowers -- it's not just a shopping trip, it's an outing!

There is a wide variety of vendors and after the flood it helps to draw people back into the area.

It really takes everything that's great about Cedar Rapids and puts it all downtown in an energetic, family oriented and entertaining venue - oh yeah, and I can get my veg on while I'm there!

Our Farmer's Market is fantastic! There are a ton of local vendors supplying everything from local produce to organically grown meat. It's amazing!

Fresh produce tastes yummy!!!

It is so enjoyable and brings a new atmosphere and energy to downtown Cedar Rapids.

Greatest event ever. Wish that they had an open air event like this more often. :)))))

It's a great thing to do with the family.

It's a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. There is a little bit of everything- wines to sample, fresh flowers and veggies, and an opportunity for organizations to share their causes.

the extensive selection of fresh food and the easy parking make a visit fun

It's fantastic-love the wine tasting!

GREAT EVENT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DOES A GREAT J0B OF SECURING A GREAT NUMBER OF VENDORS WITH A VARIETY OF FOOD, GARDEN, AND ARTISAN ITEMS. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, VERY WELCOMING.

Our downtown farmer's market is one of the most visible signs of the strength of the ongoin recovery after the flood

I love the fresh produce the gift items and crafts plus wine company's represented

Fresh produce AND gyros!!!

Our downtown Farmer's Market has terrific vendors and provides an opportunity for the community to get back downtown.

Fabulous vendors, and wonderful staff and volunteers who work hard to provide this event to the community!

Fresh, fresh, very fresh produce and meat! Fun. Great breakfast burritos, baked goods, music and folks!

Our market is a festive celebration of locally produced nutritious food, flowers , hand made items and music played by local musicians! You see people of all ages, many with pets, casually visiting with each other and enjoying the bountiful goods.

When a community shows ownership of what it produces and pride in its citizens everyone benfits.

Community spirit, fun, demonstrating the solidity of our city in the aftermath of the Great Flood of 2008, support for our locals...many reasons

When we visit our son & daughter-in-law it is always a must-see-stop! Love the fresh fruit & vegs!!!!

Provides the community with an opportunity to support local vendors and enjoy a variety of local talents

My Grandchildren, daughter-on-law and I enjoyed- the music, variety of food, the baseball players from the Kernel's, the Fire Trucks and friendly Firefighters. We had a very enjoyable time. Happy faces everywhere.

Great vendors gather in the heart of downtown C.R.....What better place for this wonderful market?

A variety of vendors and a great community gathering. It's great to see everyone supporting our downtown.

It has gone from zero to hero in a matter of two years, and did so just when the city needed a downtown boost the most, after the big flood. It exemplifies the spirit that is Cedar Rapids.

Great Food, Nice people, and festive atmosphere.

Everyone brags about the Des Moines Farmer's Market but I think here in good old CR it is just as great if not bettter.

It's one of the very best family events of the summer!!!

Would LOVE to see the Farmer's Market continue to grow.....reminds me of the metropolitan areas I used to live!

What an awesome way to spend a Saturday - even when the weather is bad there is fun at the CR Downtown Farmer's Market!!

It reminds me of the times when life was simpler. Love the creative vendors and vendors with home-grown produce. There is a neighborly atmosphere among the people whether they are vendors or customers.

Because it has everything!

I am a vendor and the atmosphere is wonderful and the families come out and have a great time!!!

Love the locally grown produce and hand crafted items. It is a great sense of community for our great city!

Locally grown and sourced food is important to a sustainable way of life for the community.

The Market provides a community gathering space, great vendors, awesome produce, and a perfect way to start a weekend. The sandbox last week was a great new addition that was a big hit with my kids.

One venue with not only a great variety of vendors but live music and entertainment for everything.

I think it goes without saying that Cedar Rapids was not defined by the flood of 2008...it simply reminded us as citizens and publicized our resolve and compassion to the rest of the world. The Downtown Farmers' Market is an embodiment of our unity, resolve, and compassion.

The variety of items is great not to mention that there is so much to choose from that it is almost difficult to make a decision on what to purchase. That's why we keep going back each time. I absolutely love it!!

So much to see, hear, smell, taste. It gets better every year. I would not expect it to be anything but wonderful since my daughter pretty much runs the show.

I love going to the farmers market and can't wait for it to open every year!

This has become a family tradition for my husband, daughter and me. We look forward to the downtown farmer's market all winter long. We always have a great time and leave with bags full of produce and tummies full of good food.

The atmosphere downtown during the Farmers Market is fun, festive, happy and friendly. The vendors have many choices and sell quality goods. It brings our community together in the heart of our City. How can you not like it?

Both before the Flood of 2008 and even more so after, the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market very definitely brings our community together. People come for the typical farmers' market items, but find themselves lingering to visit and enjoy the entertainment. It's an awesome event!

A cornucopia of local produce and products that you just can't find easily because supermarkets and big box stores just do not carry these products. There is nothing as tasty as locally grown produce. Imported items available in supermarkets are bland imitation in comparison. The only problem is deciding what to buy among the 160+ merchants on display.

Because it was the one thing that everyone had too look forward to after the floods. The first sign of normalicy.

The downtown market is a real treat because we take a 7 mile bike ride to the market, eat breakfast, buy some produce and baked goods and ride back home. There is so much going on at market- there is live entertainment, wine tasting booths, and a variety of arts and crafts, vegetables and plants.

The Downtown Farmers Market is an awesome way to support local vendors! It is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The selection is fabulous. I visited the downtown farmers market in DM last weekend and CR has the same variety and selection that DM does, just fewer vendors. Way to go Cedar Rapids!

its a great place to go to support local business!

The CR Downtown Market is helping the area recover from last summer's flood by giving people a wonderful reason to come downtown. It's also helping small, local vendors in their own recoveries as many were hard hit by the flooding. There's a wide diversity of items offered, entertainment and more and it's a great place to see your friends. We're really focused on supporting local growers and businesses while we rebuild.

There is such a wide variety of vendors and products to visit. And it's great to support local and organic farmers. It always makes for a fun and interesting day!

It's such a wonderful event to go to and it only makes sense to buy from local food producers. The food is fresher, tastier, cheaper to transport, you know where it comes from and who's hands have touched it. The farmers market also bring together the community and organizations and livens up our downtown. I love it!

Wide variety and friendly atmosphere. You always see someone you know! Easy to get to all vendors without worrying about any traffic!

Why not? Be local, bring in local and make new people more 'local'. Love the event...that is what it is; buy, socialize and have a realaxing morning. Can't beat it!

Huge variety, I have 4 boys, 2-8 years old, they all love it, the community support that was involved to bring it back after the devestating floods was amazing!

This market does more than just provide a venue to buy local goods and produce, it acts as a community festival, and really brings the downtown area to life.

It's the best thing that happens to Cedar Rapids in the summer. Loads of vendors selling everything you can imagine. Great entertainment for the whole family. It's the place to see and been seen!

It is a wonderful place to be on a summer Saturday! Good variety of vendors, relaxing and great social venue in the city.

Because it brings so much life back to our downtown.

It is important to have more of a "downtown area" the open air markets get people downtown and seeing what is there.

The Downtown Farmer's Market is a great Saturday morning. There is always great vendors including produce, arts and craft, and organizations. In addition there is always great entertainment. I have yet to go to the farmer's market and not end up spending time with good friends and community leaders.

It's extremely well organized. I has a little of everything. More than anything, The Downtown District did an awesome job of bringing it back to life after our devastating floods last summer.

It's fantastic! With so many vendors, and such a variety of things being sold, I love taking our friends and family to this market when they visit. The Downtown District really puts on a great event with shopping, food, and entertainment. A great way to get out in the community, meet people, and support the local economy!

It's an event that promotes buying from local venders and it gives an opportunity for everyone in the community to come together. It can only make us stronger!

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is absolutely terrific! It has everything you would want on a beautiful Saturday morning in downtown Cedar Rapids--fresh food, great entertainment, friendly people, and opportunities to get involved in the heart of our community. Summer would not be the same without the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market, and I'm glad we have it back in full force this year.

It's awesome, from the delicious breakfast burritos to iced coffee to organic produce. There's a great variety of vendors and some fun corner musicians. It would be great to have additional funding to help maintain it as a Saturday morning destination for the community!

The Farmers' Market is a great place to buy fresh, local produce & products and support area farmers and businesses. It is also a wonderful community event that I always look forward to.

The Farmers' Market is a great way of gathering many people with different interests and supporting local vendors.

It's a fantastic opportunity to bring the Cedar Rapids community together, shop from local farmers and vendors and celebrate the summer together.

Fantastic array of vendors - great to have access to fresh produce in the summer - AND a great family-friendly form of entertainment.

Last summer, our downtown was devastated by wide-spread flooding. As we rebuild, the Farmers Market is a great way to bring people back downtown.

I hope that my support makes the market organizers realize the value of this market so they schedule it regularly and more than monthly.

The people who say "There's nothing to do in this town" can no longer say that. The Farmers market is a great way to get out, support some great local buisnesses...at the very least it's exersize.

The market has brought many people downtown which has brought attention to the potential downtown can have as a business hub, as a place to live, and as a place to shop. It has brought a community together for a common cause.

Great way to get out and start the day out!

It has an incredible array of vendors -- more than 160 -- and the venue in Downtown Cedar Rapids is just beautiful.

I love it, so many vendors and so many choices! It's a great atmosphere!

Our Downtown Farmers’ Market has become one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest, with more than 9,000 visitors each market day. Spend your Saturday mornings with over 160 local Iowa vendors offering fresh produce, a variety of baked goods, artisan gifts, meats and diary products. Enjoy a big-as-your-face breakfast burrito or sample some local Iowa wine while catching up with friends and neighbors. Live music, dancers and street performances round out this eclectic Cedar Rapids original.

The market has wonderful live entertainment, cooking demonstrations by local chefs, and of course fresh, delicious produce. There's baked goods, gorgeous crafts... everything you could want in market and so much more!

It has brought thousands of people to the downtown area and helped boost econonmy there. It has been a wonderful community event and the people that put it together work so hard to make it such a success for all who attend!

Fun event, tons of options, and great food.

a great opportunity to support our local growers and to mingle with our friends and neighbors...just a wonderful community experience!

...so much fun, so much energy..

I'm a vendor and the crowds that come to this market are the best! We love being a part of this market!

This year, Cedar Rapids downtown market is better than ever! Great produce, honey, wine, etc, and fun music! The kids thought it was great, too. And so nice to support local farmers.

One of the largest markets I've ever attended. Fun, Food, Music for all....kids love it too. There are several local growers that participate as well as other local business owners peddling their wares it is so cultural. and right in our own back yard.

Blocks and blocks of delicious vegetables and fruits, freshly made pastries, beautiful flowers of all kinds, free entertainment, home made wine (with free wine tasting), jewelry, crafts -- all with the enjoyable experience of meeting your neighbors and friends. It's a great market!

Block after block of vendors. Live music. Free stuff.

It's wonderful, fun,energetic social event. I love the diversity of the people, food and vendors. It's was our town needs.

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers market expands our entire downtown. Even after part of our downtown got washed away in the river last year due to torrential floods, the downtown farmer's market has returned bigger and better than ever. Fresh produce, home made wine and live music, it can't get better than that!

The people of Cedar Rapids have suffered so much in the last year. I support anything that will help my hometown, and its people, recover from such a catastrophe.

Buy local, eat fresh, support the community, meet your neighbors!

I love the chance to buy fresh vegetables and flowers, as well as the many crafts available. The vendors are great - it's like a big county fair w/o the rides.

After last year's record-setting flood in downtown Cedar Rapids, this year's event hosts over 160 vendors. The City is in the process of its' "Rebuild Downtown" post-flood event(our river crested on Friday, June 13, 2008 at over 31 feet) and the attendance at the last Farmers Market drew thousands of folks downtown! The response from the community is outstanding (even though we had rain for the first event this year -- and the weather is looking very "weepy" for the second event on June 20, 2009) - my husband and I will be there - rain or shine! Here's the updated information from their Web site for the June 20th event: The Cedar Rapids Downtown District is excited for another Downtown Farmers’ Market this Saturday, from 7:30a.m.-Noon. More than 160 Iowa market vendors, a variety of live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and more, will be found in our new venue of 3rd and 4th Avenues, 2nd and 3rd Streets, and Greene Square Park. Parking downtown is free and open to the public in 4th Avenue, and includes on-street availability. Handicapped accessible parking will be available in the True North Parking lot along 5th Street SE. Visitors should note that the event will kick off rain or shine, except for in severe weather. This Saturday’s market will be packed with entertainment for people of all ages to enjoy! Visitor’s will shop and mingle to the talents of Silverwings, Theatre Cedar Rapids, original talent from open mic sessions, performances by Jenny Cline Centre for Dance of the Jane Boyd Center, the popular Junk Funk and acoustic street entertainer, Mark Brown. We also invite patrons to learn tricks around the grill at a cooking demonstration by Bricks Bar & Grill, and play catch with Kernels baseball players in Greene Square Park! Imaginations will soar at Story Time by the Cedar Rapids Public Library, or while participating in activities hosted by the Iowa Children’s Museum. To ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience, the Farmers’ Market has a Green Space sponsor and Recycling program, a pet policy for our furry friends, and qualified vendors can now accept WIC (Women, Infant Children) Checks. Thanks to June 20 market Corporate Sponsors: GreatAmerica Building, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, ITC Midwest, the Eastern Iowa Airport, and Guaranty Bank. Thanks to media partners: Hoopla, 100.7 the Fox, 600 WMT AM, Corridor Business Journal, KHAK, KCRG-TV9, The Gazette, Mediacom, and Z102.9, and 1600 ESPN. Now you know why we cast our vote for the Cedar Rapids Downtown District Farmers Market to be the $5,000 winner! You can help us "Rebuild Downtown"! Thank you! Debbie & Craig Mrkvicka Life-long Cedar Rapids residents (proud of their community) Check out their Web site to learn more: http://www.downtowncr.org/Default.aspx and click on the link for the Farmers Market.