Aurora Farmers Market Bids Farewell for the Season

The Aurora Farmers Market concluded its season, drawing locals to stock up on fresh produce and bid farewell to familiar vendors. Brittany Robbins, a resident of Aurora, expressed her sadness as she made her final purchases. She has enjoyed taking her children to the market, a weekend tradition that has lasted several years. Robbins stocked up on her favorites, including hummus and coffee.

This marked the end of the market’s 115th year, a milestone for the longest-running farmers market in the state. Thousands of visitors flocked to downtown Aurora daily during spring and summer. Over 80 vendors participated, offering various food products and services. Felicia Freitag, the market manager, celebrated this season as a success. She noted an increase in foot traffic, with recent visitor numbers surpassing those of previous years. Freitag also mentioned potential changes for the next season, including expanding the market area and potentially welcoming a large-scale farmer to increase produce availability.

The final event featured a fall celebration, including mini-pumpkins for children to decorate, a petting zoo, and vendor trick-or-treating. Steve Robbins, Brittany’s husband, relished being outdoors and interacting with the diverse range of vendors. Jeannie Norris, another Aurora resident, frequented the market weekly and lamented its seasonal closure. She suggested extending the market’s duration into October, as she cherishes the connections formed with vendors and fellow patrons.

Nancy Sawyer, from Aurora Township, reminisced about attending the market since its early days at the Metra train station. She appreciated the access to fresh local produce and planned to explore nearby farmstands after the market’s closure. On her final trip, she purchased an abundance of jalapeno peppers, envisioning recipes for jalapeno poppers and salsa.

Doug Harrington, another long-time market attendee, praised the quality of products and vendors, attributing the market’s century-long success to them. Harrington stocked up on honey, fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread. As the market closes, he plans to ensure his pantry is well-supplied.

This article was reported by David Sharos for The Beacon-News.