The Kalona Farmers Market wrapped up its first full season of events as the first leaves began to fall.

After only having the market available during the end of summer and beginning of fall in 2020, the Kalona Chamber of Commerce decided this year to start the Saturday morning events in June. Market Director Krista Hershberger says that bringing in live music for residents to listen to while checking out different vendors brought positive feedback from the public. She explains how they hope to continue to grow and what they want to provide to the community, “The goal is just to continue to grow it and provide a place for local, small businesses and vendors to sell their products and create a quality experience here in Kalona. If we can add more vendors next year and keep growing in that way, I would be very pleased.”

Hershberger adds that one of the great things about Kalona is the support that the community shows to local businesses and vendors at the market and vice versa. Through sponsorships from local businesses, the chamber was able to do advertising and pay musicians to come perform. She also hopes next year to bring in more local farmers to sell fresh produce. The next farmers market season will begin the first weekend in June 2022.