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History of the Falls Park Farmers Market
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – For over 100 years, farmers and local vendors have gathered each weekend to sell their products in town.
This photo from July 1912 shows what the farmers' market first looked like when it was established near the Calvary Cathedral near Phillips Avenue.
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Throughout the decades, the market has changed locations and sizes. In the 1970s, the market went by the name of 'Downtown Farmers Market' or 'Open Air Farmers Market' and was held near what used to be the pedestrian mall on Phillips Avenue between 9th and 11th street.
The owner of Sweetgrass Soapery, Miranda Koltze, has spent the last 10 summers selling her handmade products and says not much has changed when thinking about why people come every weekend.
'I don't think we've broken tradition that much. I know there were probably bakers, there were probably soap makers, there is definitely lots of produce. We don't use horse and buggy anymore so that's probably one of the biggest changes,' Koltze said.
Now located in Falls Park, Koltze shares how she's seen the market change within the last decade.
'It's been amazing to see the growth and I think when COVID came around is really what kind of was the catalyst for that,' Koltze said. 'We had to spread out, and then once we spread out, took up more space, we realized there's so much more potential here.'
Alissa's Flower and Design has been at the market for over 20 years and notes it's changed drastically since entering the 21st century.
'There was about 15 vendors back in 2000. We were here at Falls Park there was a maintenance shed that was close to the Blue Moon bar. It's gone now and it was just a gravel lot and we all had our tents and set up there,' Alissa's Flower and Design's Nathan Van Zweden said.
Currently, the market has 40 unique booths, the most it's ever had. Vanzweden is part of the famers market board that helps curate what booths come to sell.
'There's quite a few hours that go into placing the booth where they all have to be. Make sure they all fit together,' Van Zweden said.
Even 100 years later, John Wesselius with The Cornucopia says he's not surprised farmers markets have stood the test of time.
'It's about the feeling that you have when you're here. Local food, local people, local ambiance, local fragrances, local flavors, people, relationships,' Wesselius said.
His produce booth has been at the market for 20 years as he believes it's his passion in life to provide food for others.
'I love doing what I do,' Wesselius said. 'We grow vegetables. We try to grow vegetables year round, and we sell in the wintertime. This is what we do. We provide people with food.'
This year marks Elsa Fokken's fifth summer selling Songbird Kombucha each says markets like these are essential for local owners.
'Our business couldn't have existed without the farmers market. I want to see this market thrive. I want to see it survive. I want to see it withstand. I want to see it grow with time,' Fokken said.
As vendors today reflect on the business owners from years past.
'Thinking 100 years ago and the nature of shopping had to feel so much different. So who knows if shopping 100 years ago was as bustling, as happy, as joyful as communal. But honestly, I'd like to think that it was,' Fokken said.
'There are folks that come every single week and do their grocery shopping or get their basic needs here,' Koltze said.
As the market hopes to continue growing for years to come.
'I can only imagine we'll just be taking over the whole park eventually,' Koltze said.
Later this year the Falls Park Farmers Market will hold its first ever winter farmers market every other weekend at the Mosaic Arts & Events center in Sioux Falls.
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