Mayor Emanuel and DCASE Announce Chicago Farmers Markets Schedule and Launch New Spinoff Night Markets
Farmers Markets Kick Off on May 11; Official Opening is May 16; New Night Markets Launch June 26 and 27
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday announced the schedule for Chicago’s Farmers Markets, presented by the City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and COUNTRY Financial. The City-run markets selling fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers open at Lincoln Park (Armitage & Orchard) and Division Street (Division & Dearborn) on Saturday, May 11 and at Beverly (95th & Longwood) on Sunday, May 12 before the official opening at Daley Plaza (Washington & Dearborn) on Thursday, May 16.
In an exciting new development, the Farmers Markets program will offer two “spinoffs” this summer featuring night markets in two different locations: the Logan Square Night Market, beginning June 26 and running through September 4 (5-9 pm) and the Argyle Night Market, June 27-September 19 (4-8 pm).
"Our Farmers Markets are cultural touchstones for the city, but more importantly they bring fresh product directly to our residents and visitors," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "We are proud to have added five new markets on the west side last year, bringing a variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and valuable nutritional information to underserved neighborhoods. This year, the new Spinoff Night Markets in Uptown and Logan Square will elevate and expand neighborhood cultural assets, a priority of the Chicago Cultural Plan."
The new stand-alone Night Markets will happen weekly and include some vendors from the City’s other farmers markets, as well as having live performances and arts & crafts, with local artisans and local restaurants participating.
"Argyle Street is a special destination for people throughout the community, city and region,” said Ald. Harry Osterman, 48th Ward, where the Argyle Night Market will take place. “The Argyle Night Market will enhance the street's already vibrant commercial corridor and will celebrate its unique businesses, rich heritage and growing arts community. With a newly renovated CTA station and a future streetscape project in the works, Argyle Street has a bright future."
Live entertainment from The Hypocrites will include performances of “Romeo Juliet” Wednesdays at Logan Square and Thursdays at Argyle, June 26 and June 27 through July 17 and 18. (There will be no performance on July 4 at Argyle.)
The official kick-off of the Farmers Markets season will be at the Daley Plaza market, where COUNTRY Financial will reveal the winner of the 6th Annual Reusable Bag Design Contest during the 11 a.m. program. This year’s artistic theme is “Sprouts in the City” and the winning design will appear on thousands of bags distributed throughout the season. Finalists are Juana Delao and Jose Melgoza from Lane Tech College Prep High School, and Mara Hantanosas from Mather High School.
Students from Mather High School have been finalists in the contest every year since its inception in 2008 and experienced a three-peat of winners, 2008-2010.
DCASE has once again partnered with Experimental Station to accept the LINK card at 15 markets including the five newer markets in food deserts.
“The Farmers Markets program is one of my favorite ways to welcome spring. It signifies that the outdoor growing season is back and fresh product is available throughout our neighborhoods,” said DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone. “And as always we’re excited to see the designs created by young students from across Chicagoland for the 2013 Farmers Markets’ reusable shopping bags.”
“The market kickoff is an annual celebration for COUNTRY and our award-winning students,” said Mike Fisher, COUNTRY Financial vice president of market development. “We can’t wait to reveal our 7th winner, and hand out 1,000 bags to market shoppers.”
An additional monthly market has also been added to the schedule: Devon Community Monthly Market, located at 2720 W. Devon in the Republic Bank Parking Lot. Markets will take place on Sundays, July 7; August 4; September 1 and October 6, from 10 am to 2 pm.
The majority of the 2013 Chicago Farmers Markets will open throughout the month of June.
The Chicago Farmers Markets program is presented by DCASE and COUNTRY Financial, and sponsored in part by 93 XRT, CBS 2 Chicago, WLS 890 AM & WLS 94.7 FM, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Tribune. For more information, call 312.744.3316, TTY: 312.744.2964 or visit chicagofarmersmarkets.us and like us on Facebook at Chicago Farmers Markets.
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Map of City's Farmer's Markets
Downtown Markets
Tuesdays
*FEDERAL PLAZA
Adams & Dearborn
May 21- October 29, 7 am - 3 pm
Thursdays
*DALEY PLAZA
Washington & Dearborn
May 16 - October 24, 7 am - 3 pm
*WILLIS TOWER PLAZA
233 S. Wacker Drive
June 27 - October 31, 7 am - 3 pm
Weekly Markets
Tuesdays
*COLUMBUS PARK
Harrison and Central
June 25 – October 29, 2 pm - 7 pm
*LINCOLN SQUARE
Lincoln/Leland/Western
City Parking Lot adjacent to Brown Line Station
June 4 - October 29, 7 am - 1 pm
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Chicago & Mies van der Rohe Way, MCA Plaza
June 4 - October 29, 7 am - 3 pm
Wednesdays
*LA FOLLETTE PARK, 1333 N. Laramie
June 26 – October 30, 2 pm - 7 pm
*PULLMAN
111th and Cottage Grove in Arcade Park
July 10 - October 30, 7 am - 12 noon
THURSDAYS
*HYDE PARK
Harold Washington Park, 53rd and Hyde Park
June 6 - October 31, 7 am - 1 pm
Saturdays
*AUSTIN TOWN HALL, 5610 W. Lake
June 29 – October 26, 10 am - 2 pm
BRIDGEPORT
35th & Wallace (in parking lot)
June 15 – Oct 5, 7 am - 1 pm
*DIVISION STREET
Division & Dearborn
On Division between State and Clark
May 11 - October 26, 7 am - 1 pm
LINCOLN PARK
Armitage & Orchard
Lincoln Park High School Parking Lot
May 11 - October 26, 7 am - 1 pm
NORTHCENTER
Belle Plaine/Damen/Lincoln
North Center Town Square
June 15 - October 26, 7 am - 1 pm
PRINTERS ROW
Dearborn & Polk
Printers Row Park
June 15 - October 26, 7 am - 1 pm
SOUTHPORT MARKET
Blaine School - 1420 West Grace
June 22-October 5, 8 am - 2 pm
*WEST HUMBOLDT PARK
3601 W. Chicago, NHS Parking Lot
June 29 – October 26, 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays
*BEVERLY
95th & Longwood
City Parking Lot - Southeast Corner
May 12 - October 27, 7 am - 1 pm
*GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY
300 N. Central Park (in Parking lot)
June 23 – October 27, 11 am - 4 pm
*SOUTH SHORE
Rainbow Beach Park, 77th St. & Lake Michigan
(in Parking Lot)
June 23 – August 25, 1 pm – 5 pm
*WICKER PARK & BUCKTOWN
Wicker Park & Damen
In Wicker Park
June 2 - October 27, 8 am - 2 pm
NEW Monthly Market
Devon Community Monthly Market
2720 W. Devon (Republic Bank Parking Lot)
July 7; August 4; September 1, October 6
10 am – 2 pm
*accepts LINK Card
New SPINOFFS
LOGAN SQUARE NIGHT MARKET
Palmer Square Park
Kedzie & Milwaukee
Wednesdays, June 26-September 4,
5 pm - 9 pm
ARGYLE MARKET
Argyle & Broadway
Thursdays, June 27-September 19,
4 pm – 8 pm