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Market Nights in downtown Webster City won't go on forever. This season is halfway over, with the final Market Night scheduled for August 27.
Don't wait too long to discover the fun of the community getting together to support small local businesses in Webster City and surrounding areas.
According to Robin Streigel, coordinator of Webster City Market Nights, there have been close to 100 vendors this year, up from last year.
"We've had a lot of people who are running businesses out of their house coming down this year," said Streigel, "We've had good attendance, about the same as last years, but some nighjs are a little higher than others.
This week, the focus is on the Staycation; a way to be at home, but a relaxing time to be with family and friends.
Market Nights provides that, and so much more.
Music and games with a Kid's Zone offer enchanting recreational activities, so no one should get bored.
Food and beverages range from the homemade pies made by members of the PEO Chapter JE from Webster City to the food trucks and local restaurants. No one should have to be in the kitchen as these organizations and businesses provide food and nourishment in a setting where friends and family can gather.
But best of all, the gardens are starting to produce, and fresh vegetables are becoming available from our Iowa gardens. Items include kohlrabi, green bell peppers, cucumbers, green beans, sweet corn, yellow squash, zucchini and tomatoes are produce that can be found if early, or if ordering a "Market Night in a Box", will be found in the ready-made boxes.
"Our "Market Night in a Box" is going great," said Streigel, "We are about sold out, we average about 15 baskets each week."
According to Streigel, they only can handle 20 baskets, next weeks order has 19 already. And the choices change from week to week.
"I think more people know about it this year," she said. "When I think about going to a market, I think about veggies. We are trying to keep those veggie vendors coming."
Market Nights started with themes each week, but both the first night and the Fourth of July event were rained out. So they are trying to reschedule some of the events from the cancelled events.
"Not so thematic," she said, "but we are plugging in things, like motorcycle night with tractors and Doodlebugs."
Streigel said they have never gotten complaints about the food, and there is a lot of produce and market greens.
"The youth produce project has really increased this year," she said. "It's a good program and a lot of kids are utilizing it this year.
Food trucks this week will include the Feed Shack, Kwik and Fresh, Best Spuds, Loudies, HyVee Grill, El Taco Riendo and Main Scoop Ice Cream, Kona Ice and Pliners Kettlecorn. Also downtown are our year-round local businesses who will also be serving food, including La Perla, Leon's and Mornin' Glory.
With only a few more weeks ahead, it's time to make a trip downtown for Market Night, and be thinking about how to help in other ways. Next week is already the "Back to School" night, when a school bus will be located on Des Moines St., encouraging donations of school supplies for the students heading back to school in a few short weeks.
So make a plan to head out for Market Nights tonight. Then shop for back to school supplies, and return next week to help support your local businesses, your neighbors, and the children of our community.
It's a great place we call home.