The Clear Lake Farmers Market did not always look like it does today. Now, Saturday mornings at the Surf Ballroom are filled with live music, rows of vendors, kids' activities, and crowds of shoppers carrying fresh flowers, baked goods, and locally grown produce back to their cars and golf carts. Years ago, the farmers market in Clear Lake, Iowa, was much smaller and operated near City Hall with just a handful of vendors. It was more of a quick stop than a Saturday destination. You would swing by, grab what you needed, and head on with your day.
Then in 2015, the market moved to the Surf Ballroom parking lot, and that move changed everything.
More space to grow
With more room came more vendors, more shoppers, and more opportunity to grow the Clear Lake Farmers Market into one of North Iowa’s favorite summer traditions. During peak season, more than 50 vendors set up each week, with over 100 vendors participating throughout the summer. Last year alone, the market welcomed up to 1,500 shoppers on busy Saturdays in Clear Lake. Even with that growth, one thing has stayed the same: If you are selling at the market, you made it, grew it, or raised it yourself.
People are also reading…
That commitment keeps the Clear Lake Farmers Market focused on local products, fresh food, handcrafted goods, and supporting small businesses across North Iowa.
Powered by community
Behind the scenes, the Clear Lake Farmers Market is run by a volunteer board made up of both community members and vendors, along with a market manager, market coordinator, and a team of volunteers and setup helpers. From vendor applications and layout planning to weekly setup and live music coordination, it takes a lot of moving pieces to keep the farmers market running smoothly each week.
The mission of the Clear Lake Farmers Market is simple: offer healthy fresh produce and handcrafted products to consumers while building community connections and supporting the local economy. And along the way, the market became so much more than just a place to shop for fresh produce.
A Saturday morning tradition in Clear Lake
Today, the Clear Lake Farmers Market has become a summer staple in Clear Lake, Iowa. Families browse, humming along to live music while kids participate in weekly activities. Friends catch up between vendor booths, and more and more, visitors add the market to their weekend plans. Locals have made it a part of their weekend routine.
One of the best signs of how much the market has grown is that people do not just stop by anymore, they stay awhile. “Nothing makes us happier than a busy market full of happy people — shopping local, supporting our vendors, and enjoying some great live music. We hope to see you this summer!” said Laura Tidrick of Mossycup Farms, one of the City Hall vendors that had a vision for the market and was integral in making the move to the Surf Ballroom parking lot over 10 years ago.
