You can pet real bunnies and baby goats.  Did you know they are called “kids”? And human kids should bring their baskets for hunting  candy filled eggs at 10:00. Then everyone will make Easter Bonnets to parade for prizes.  Think Bunny Hop ! There will be a display of eggs dyed with natural substances like veggies!

Our usual winter market is in progress, but with the great warm weather more and more vendors are appearing outdoors with early greens.  You might pick up great bread, snacks or desserts for your holiday meal.

Saturday, October 8th, 2011, 8-1pm @ Freight House Farmer’s Market

Festivities include:

• Blue Grass Band
• Petting Zoo
• Paint Your Own Pumpkin
• Games and more!!

Now is the time to show off your best pumpkin! Pumpkin Contest with gift certificate prizes and ribbons for the winners!!!

Here are the categories:

• Best Pie Pumpkin
• Prettiest Jack
• Largest Pumpkin (please have approximate weight and help to move)

Prize amounts: 1st place- $25, 2nd place- $10, 3rd place- $5

Don’t let River Drive construction keep you away.  The market continues to be open and accessible to you.

• Access the market from multiple entrances along 2nd Street. Come down Western Avenue, Ripley Street, or Harrison Street

Rain Barrel Raffle and Compost Bin Raffle

Area artists have contributed their time and talent to transform the everyday Rain Barrel into a Work of Art. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket(s) for the chance to win one. We will also have two (2) compost bins available for raffle, in addition to the six (6) rain barrel Works of Art being raffled. Stop by the welcome tent located near the playground to view and submit your chance to win one these environmentally beneficial Works of Art and compost bins. Tickets are $1.00 per chance; all receipts go toward expanding water quality education in the community.

Performances and Demonstrations

09:00 am LIVE! Birds of Prey Demonstration by the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center of Scott County Conservation Board

10:00 am Fly Fishing Demonstration by the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association

11:00 am Davenport Jr. Theatre will “physcalize” water in this one time only local performance

11:30 am Dance Works, Dance Performance

Come leave your mark at the Freight House Farmers Market this weekend June 25th from 10-12!

Set some roots with us here at the Freight House Farmers Market by planting one of many flowers to choose from. The planters will be displayed and marked with your name so you can check up on your seedlings throughout the season. This is a free event for you and your family to enjoy with us.

Keep your eyes open for future events promoting agriculture, local foods, and family entertainment!

Radish Wellness Fair will be held outdoors next to the Freight House
Farmers Market from 8-3.  Pick up the most recent copy of Radish
magazine to read about all the fun events planned or go to
http://radishmagazine.com to read an online copy.

Also the Freight House is host to, Ride the River Fathers Day Bike Ride on Sunday. Riders can register at The Freight House, Western Ave. and River Dr., Davenport, Saturday, June 18 from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 19 from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more go to: http://www.riveraction.org/

As always we welcome you to our beautiful market full of local foods and arts!

We hope to spend a great weekend with you.

Come experience the Grand Opening at the Freight House Farmers’ Market this Saturday back along the riverfront after the big flood of 2011!

The River City Racing Marching Society Good Times Brass Band will be performing through out the entire market making this Grand Opening sure to be fun and enjoyed by all! Bedding plants, perennials, garden seeds, fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, wine, and so many beautiful hand-crafted items to peruse to find that perfect one of a kind Mother’s Day gift!

Please show your support and pick up some wonderful local early market treats for your holiday weekend festivities!

We return to the Freight House on the river front on Saturday, May 7th, 2011

APRIL 9: QC BASKETRY GUILD DEMONSTRATION AND FOOD DRIVE AT THE FREIGHT HOUSE MARKET

Come to the Freight House Farmers’ Market to meet the Quad City Basketry Guild and help out with a donation that will benefit Churches United’s Food Drive. You may participate in many ways at this event, during the Guild’s Public Weave you may step up and take a hand at weaving your own basket by simply donating cash or a non-perishable food item. Guild members will be on hand to help you make your own basket like an pro! Each of the Guild Members has donated a very special and unique basket that will be offered for sale at this event and the money raised will benefit the Food Drive also. Let’s weave our energy together to make a difference in the direct QC Area!

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Fair will take place this Saturday, April 2nd from 9am-1pm at the Davenport Freight House Farmers Market. The event sponsored by the PACG Local Foods Initiative and will provide information about the who, what, and why of a CSA share. 

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and indicates a relationship between a community of members and the farmer. The customer pays a fee up front and the farmer spends his/her time growing crops to feed you during the appropriate seasons.  Typically each week the customer pick-ups their share of fresh produce from the farm or at a common location in a city. Some CSA Farms offer delivery too.

The fruits and vegetables are picked and packed fresh on the farm for the CSA customer.  CSA farmers typically give first pick to CSA members, which can mean in a year short on tomatoes a farmer will fill his CSA orders first and take any remaining tomatoes to market.

While every season is different depending on the weather and myriad other factors, the goal of the grower is to provide the customer with best value possible — more often than not, the value of the CSA share is greater than if the customer were to buy the same vegetables at farmer’s market prices. For the customer it is a truly delicious and remarkable food experience.

At the CSA Fair people can learn about the different types of CSAs available, from coupons to full-shares and half-shares. People can also learn about the health, environmental and economical benefits of joining a CSA.  A list of CSA area farms will be available and a few CSA farmers will be on hand to answer questions.