Downtown Kankakee Farmers Market

Kankakee Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market The Kankakee Farmers' Market is now in its 14th year in Downtown Kankakee. From humble beginnings the market has grown to a premier market featuring over 20 vendors in Spring, and over 30 vendors in Summer with a variety of fresh produce, plants, flowers, breads, meats, baked goods, olives, cheeses, concessions and other specialty items. In addition to being a place to buy fresh local food the market has become a central gathering place for the Kankakee area on Saturday Morning as relaxing live music and friendly conversation creates a welcoming atmosphere. We invite you to join us each week or as often as you can.



Market Facts:

  • The Kankakee Market is one of the only in the state of Illinois to have shopping carts available to use.
  • The market draws vendors from the rural areas around Kankakee, others from Chicago and farmers bring fruit from Michigan.
  • The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners program provides expert volunteers to answer garden related questions at the market weekly.
  • The Kankakee Market started in 1998. To this day our farmers have a strong voice in the direction of the market.
  • The Kankakee Farmers' market is operated by the Kankakee Development Corporation with the cooperation from the City of Kankakee and a host of community minded people and organizations.

2013 Farmers’ Market Special Events

Special Dates for Farmers' Market 2013. Check back often for more details!

  • April 27 – First Day of Spring Market (hours 8am-noon)/Police Squad Car Auction
  • May 4 - Shred Day/Cinco de Mayo: District 111 Bilingual/Dual Language Kindergarteners performing & Bishop Mac Spanish IV performing w/ Taft K Bilingual Kids @10:30 am
  • May 11 - District 111 Healthy Foods Awareness Day/Scavenger Hunt
  • May 18 - Paint Recycling/Regatta Boats display/Sharon Fiffer Trolley Tour (pre-registered)/Kilbride Classic Sign-up
  • May 25 – First Day of Summer Market (hours 7am – noon) First Day of Bike Corral/Kilbride Classic Sign-up
  • June 1 - Relay for Life Event/Camp Invention/Kilbride Classic Sign-up
  • June 8 - Meet the Enterprise U Contestants
  • June 15 - Paint Recycling
  • June 22 – Farm Share Breakfast (waiting for confirmation from Chad Miller)
  • June 29 - Yoga
  • July 13 - Library Family Fun Day
  • July 20 - Paint Recycling/KVTA
  • August 10 – Sweet Corn & Hispanic Arts and Heritage Day for Education
  • August 17 - Pro Chef Challenge *no music*/ Paint Recycling
  • August 24 - Amateur Chef Challenge *no music*
  • August 31 - Yoga
  • Sept. 14 - KVTA
  • Sept. 21 - Paint Recycling
  • Sept. 28 - Zonta Empowerment Walk
  • October 19 - KVTA / Yoga
  • October 26 - Last Day of Market

Tentative schedule for Farmers' Market Music, check back often for more details!

  • 4/27: Heartland Bluegrass
  • 5/4: Jack Avery’s Kin
  • 5/11: Jacob Mau
  • 5/18: Lupe Carroll
  • 5/25:
  • 6/1: NO MUSIC
  • 6/8: Heartland Bluegrass
  • 6/15: Jacqueline Sylvie (and Acting Out "Chicago" scenes)
  • 6/22: NO MUSIC
  • 6/29: Paul Germano (?)
  • 7/6: Jack Avery’s Kin
  • 7/13: NO MUSIC
  • 7/20: Rebecca Rego
  • 7/27: Heartland Bluegrass
  • 8/3: Jacob Mau
  • 8/10: Lupe Carroll (?)
  • 8/17: NO MUSIC
  • 8/24: NO MUSIC
  • 8/31: Jack Avery’s Kin
  • 9/7:
  • 9/14: NO MUSIC
  • 9/21: Lupe Carroll (?)
  • 9/28: Tracey DeMarco
  • 10/5: Rebecca Rego
  • 10/12: Lupe Carroll
  • 10/19: Heartland Bluegrass
  • 10/26:

2012 Kankakee Farmers' Market Vendors

Concessions

Past Market Seasons

Pictures from past Amateur Chef Challenges...