The season has gone well for Cartwright Farmers Market this year. More customers have frequented the bi-weekly market at 108 N. Second Ave. in the past few years, and a record was even set this summer.

“We have steadily attracted new visitors over the last several years thanks to social media and periodic events,” said Market Manager Trisha Wilder. “The Bee Ridiculous Day was a great attraction, setting a record for attendance of about 750 visitors. In the future, we hope to add more events to our market.”

The annual downtown event, which was relocated to State Street due to the Main Street streetscape project, was a lot of fun for vendors and customers, she said.

“We have welcomed some new vendors and even more returning vendors,” Wilder said. “The vendor group becomes a type of family, along with our customers. I am always sad when the season ends.”

Some of those periodic events at Cartwright are monthly craft fairs, such as the Dog Days of Summer Craft Fair tomorrow. Wilder said the fair will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they invite various vendors of handmade or vendor-produced goods as guests for the day. On Saturday, there will be 20 market vendors and 10 guest vendors, including the regular food truck, Back Roads Eats & Sweets.

“Items [at Dog Days] include self care tools, book themed items and artwork, crystal art and jewelry, boho and tie dye clothing, pet accessories, journals, paper creations, wood art and more,” she said.

The last craft fair at Cartwright will be held on Sept. 20 and Vineyard Church will sponsor a concert that day beginning at noon. The farmers market season runs through October, weather permitting.

“It has been a positive year,” Wilder said. “We have seen new faces this year which is great. Produce has struggled some with the heavy rainfall but it has gotten better. Sometimes the weather just doesn’t want to cooperate.”

The arrival of November does not mean Marshalltown residents have to wait until the warmer months of 2026 to enjoy the market. Wilder said they are planning to host a few indoor markets that month and December, possibly one in April.

“It depends on the venue we decide on,” she said.

Ever thinking ahead, Wilder hopes to acquire some volunteers in order to implement new ideas into the 2026 market. Such as a kids area with crafts and activities, bringing local organizations to the market to share their services through information or activities and a kids day with activities and booths.

“I personally miss the Kids to Parks days from a while back, so maybe a smaller version of that,” she said. “We are the community farmers market and we want to help maintain and strengthen our community. I have a long list of ideas but these are at the top.”

Wilder urged interested vendors who want to get involved with Cartwright Farmers Market to contact them at 641-351-9181 or email at cartwright.market@gmail.com.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.