BLOOMINGTON — Peak summer produce, live string band music, local artisan crafts, and community outreach are all converging at Showers Common this weekend as the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market hosts a packed Saturday lineup.
In addition to seasonal fruits, vegetables, and regional foods, this Saturday’s market features the return of the monthly A Fair of the Arts, live sets from old-time music trio The Ditch Tea Steepers, and a chance for residents to meet Bloomington Fire Chief Roger Kerr as part of National Park and Recreation Month celebrations.
A Peak Mid-Summer Harvest
July brings one of the most diverse agricultural selections of the year to market tables. Because local market goods are harvested within hours or days of sale rather than shipped across the country, they offer far better flavor and higher nutrient density than typical grocery store stock.
Visitors this Saturday can expect a full lineup of peak-season produce, meats, and dairy items, including:
- Fruits & Berries: Apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cantaloupe, honeydew, plums, and raspberries.
- Vegetables & Herbs: Fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, summer squash, zucchini, garlic, beets, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, and fresh basil.
- Artisanal & Meat Products: Fresh-baked bread, handmade cheeses, butter, yogurt, honey, eggs, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, chicken, and churro lamb.
Beyond raw ingredients, the market features local vendors offering prepared hot foods, fresh coffee, cut flowers, native plants, and handmade soaps.
Music, Fine Arts, and Fire Department Outreach
Entertainment and community programming will run throughout Saturday morning across the market grounds:
A Fair of the Arts
Taking place on Fernandez Plaza directly in front of City Hall, the second-Saturday tradition brings together regional artists and craftspeople showcasing handmade jewelry, fine art, pottery, woodworking, and live crafting demonstrations.
The Ditch Tea Steepers on Stage
Bloomington-based string band The Ditch Tea Steepers—featuring fiddler Janan Alexandra, mandolinist Damon Berkley, and guitarist Logan Boyd Carithers—will perform on the BCFM Circular Stage. The trio plays a mix of old-time country, Tin Pan Alley classics, and traditional folk tunes, with sets scheduled at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Mayor’s Team at the Table: Fire Chief Roger Kerr
As part of the city’s informal community outreach initiative, Bloomington Fire Chief Roger Kerr will be at the market from 10:00 a.m. to Noon to meet with residents, answer questions about public safety, and share updates on the Bloomington Fire Department. A BFD fire engine will also be parked on site for visitors of all ages to tour.
The outreach highlights July’s national designation as Park and Recreation Month, celebrating the public spaces and recreational programs that strengthen local health and community connections.
Tuesday Market Continues at Hopewell Commons
For mid-week shoppers, the BCFM Tuesday Market continues weekly from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through September at Hopewell Commons (630 S. Morton St.).
- Upcoming Feature (July 14): Local jazz group The Splattertones will bring “funky post-bop jazz” to Hopewell Commons starting at 5:00 p.m.
- Getting There: Visitors are encouraged to walk or bike using the adjacent B-Line Trail. Bike racks are located on both the east and west sides of the commons area.
