8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through October
From oyster mushrooms to handcrafted cheeses and grass-fed beef, visitors to this summer’s Old Capitol Farmers Market are bound to find something to make their mouths water. Presented by St. John’s Hospital and Downtown Springfield, Inc., the market opened for the season Wednesday, May 14, and features a spectrum of local goods including fresh cheese, baked goods, meat, spices, herbs, plants and locally grown produce.
The Market accepts LINK, debit and credit card transactions for the purchase of market tokens for $1. The market token station will be located at Development Services Group on 401 E. Adams and available 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each market day. Vendors will also continue to accept cash, checks, WIC and Senior Coupons. LINK customers may receive a maximum of $10 of double value tokens per market day until grant funds are expended.
Every Wednesday and Saturday through October, browse three downtown blocks on Adams Street between Fifth and Second and discover ways to enhance your at-home dining experience. Whether it’s the chef with an advanced palette, a family looking to add some flavor to its diet or the Saturday morning shopper, there is something for everyone.
Beginning May 17 through Oct. 18, local juried artisans will display and sell their original artwork as a part of the Local Artisan Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the parking lot at the southeast corner of Adams and Fourth streets.
New this year is “The Community Corner,” at the southwest corner of Fourth and Adams, which will feature a variety of live music, live radio broadcasts, chef demonstrations and kid-friendly activities. These activities will be held 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. This is a collaborative effort of DSI, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Maldaner’s, Kidzeum, GenHkids and local musicians. Schedule of events is posted on the DSI website.
Some of the entertainment and activities lined up for this year’s Community Corner include Mid-West Family Broadcasting live broadcasting, Generation Healthy Kids activities, demonstrations by Chef Michael Higgins, and on Oct. 25, “Halloween at the Market.” Catch live musical performances including: June 2 - Lowder and Manning, July 5 - Thornhill, Aug. 2 - Solar Chariot, Aug. 9 - Skibereen, Sept. 6 - Don Smith Band, Oct. 4 - Deep Hollow.
Presenting sponsor St. John’s Hospital understands the importance of fresh, locally grown produce to help people live healthier lives. The hospital promotes wellness, healthy lifestyles, distributes informational materials and offers health screenings and programs, such as a body fat analysis and interactive educational programs, to help children and adults learn about the importance of proper nutrition. St. John’s also provides free blood pressure and other tests periodically during the season.
For more information, phone 544- 1723. For a complete list of market vendors and market map visit www. downtownspringfield.org.