BLOOMINGTON— Fernandez Plaza will transform into a hub of youthful enterprise this weekend as the 4th Annual Youth Day returns to the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.
This Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., more than 30 young farmers, artists, and entrepreneurs will take over the plaza to operate their own independent stands. The annual event provides local youth with hands-on experience managing a small business, from inventory and customer service to cash handling. To further support their growth, the young vendors will keep 100% of the profits generated from their sales.
In addition to the youth marketplace, the event will feature a broad lineup of family-friendly, youth-oriented activities and live entertainment performed entirely by young local artists.
The morning’s entertainment will feature a diverse selection of local musical talent on the market’s Circular Stage.
Nicholas Graham-Hall, the regional singer-songwriter, will kick off the day’s performances, playing two distinct acoustic sets at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Graham-Hall, who writes deeply autobiographical songs and creates visual art out of his personal studio, describes his songwriting style as an opportunity to share complex stories “in a couple of hundred words and a few chords.”
BloomingArts Theatre Company is dedicated to providing pre-professional musical theatre training and performance platforms to empower young performers. The troupe will take the stage for two high-energy sets at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Saturday’s market will also host the “Mayor’s Team at the Table,” a recurring community outreach program that allows residents to interact directly with local government leaders outside of city hall.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson will be stationed at the table from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Market-goers are invited to stop by to ask questions, voice neighborhood concerns, or discuss ongoing infrastructure and policy initiatives in the city.
