The inaugural season of the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market comes to a close this Saturday. For its first year, the market had as many as 30 vendors each week for 14 weeks. 

“The atmosphere’s been great, we’ve been getting great feedback from the public,” said Tom Drenthe, market manager. “It’s met every one of our measures.”

The market is a partnership between the Main Street Cultural District and the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Next year, they plan to expand to a full six-month farmers’ market season, beginning in May. 

The weekly selection has featured fruits and vegetables, prepared foods and baked goods, crafts and jewelry. Drenthe said the selection remains strong throughout the season, because different fruits and vegetables become available. 

There also has been entertainment each week, including musical acts, walking tours with the Ames Historical Society and the Ames Public Library bookmobile. The final week of the market will feature Meskwaki storytelling and dancing by Preston Duncan.