Ever find yourself sitting in your house on a Saturday with nothing to do? Ever have an urge for fresh food and produce or to simply browse handmade goods and plants? If so, spice up your Saturday with a trip to the Downtown Farmers Market and adjacent Art & Craft Market for a taste of local business!

An Excuse to Support Local

Held every Saturday from June 3-Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Downtown Farmers Market and Art & Craft Market are a smorgasbord of local artisans and crafters. Located at Pioneer Park, it can be a lot to take in when you first arrive. The market is packed with local vendors that are a testament to putting money back into the community. From jewelry to jams, you can find everything you need for that next dish you want to try cooking or a handmade piece of art to hang on your wall. When you choose to put your money toward a small business, you support your community while also stimulating your local economy, unlike when shopping at big box stores. Not to mention, there is nothing better than bringing home fresh fruit and veggies and handmade goods.

Local Creativity, In Your Hands

One of the first booths I perused was chock full of paintings and handmade jewelry made by a family business called The Original Way. The person manning the booth, Maya, was very friendly and was open to any questions people had about them and their family’s work. The Montanaros, they said, have been selling their jewelry and art at the Downtown Art & Craft Market for over 25 years. Maya also mentioned that many of the colorful and intricate bracelets they sell are made from buttons from the Czech Republic. 

Another booth, the Wooden Moth, had rows full of pressed-flower art. The person manning the booth, who said they had been selling their handmade beeswax and pressed-flower candles for over 25 years at the farmers market, has only just started selling their beautiful and intricate pressed-flower artwork within the past three years. Each and every piece had a unique tactility that can only be described by seeing the booth in person. According to their website, the owner enjoys “collaborating with nature” to create the artwork. We took home one of the pressed-flower pieces and it now hangs next to our pantry shelf.

The last booth we spent quite a bit of time at was the booth of Seiki Photography, owned by Deanna Thompson. Thompson, a charismatic and kind person in equal parts who loved talking about her work, takes most of the photos here in Utah — we perused many picturesque red rock landscapes that were almost painterly in composition. We bought one of her prints, a shot of a red rock canyon perfectly framing the sunlight shining from above. 

What Are You Waiting For?

With so much to offer, everyone should check out the Downtown Farmers Market and Art & Craft Market. Whether you just want some fresh produce or are looking for unique accessories for your next outfit, there is something for everyone. Get out there, support local and freshen up your weekend — you won’t regret it!

[email protected]

@arlo_marler