Midland Area Farmers Market celebrates 80 years on July 11

The Midland Area Farmers Market is inviting community members from across the Great Lakes Bay Region to join in celebrating its 80th Anniversary on Saturday, July 11, at the Dow Diamond East Parking Lot.

The celebration will take place throughout Market hours, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a full morning of family-friendly activities, including a bounce house, Touch-a-Tractor, free giveaways and more.

Throughout the celebration, visitors can explore educational exhibits and connect with community organizations, including:

• Food Safety Throughout the Decades, presented in collaboration with MyMichigan Health and supported through a Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) grant.
• A booth hosted by the Midland County Historical Society, where visitors can share their favorite Market memories and learn more about the Market’s rich history.
• The Farm Bureau of Midland County’s Real Farmers, Real Answers tent, where guests can have one-on-one conversations with local farmers.
• A Fair Food Network ambassador available to answer questions about the Double Up Food Bucks program and how it helps families purchase fresh, healthy foods.

The celebration will also recognize the winners of the 2026 Midland Area Farmers Market Poster Contest, made possible through the support of Larson Insurance Solutions | Farm Bureau Insurance.

2026 Poster Contest Winners

Ages 0–10: Manu Dieterich

Ages 11–15: Luci Kaylor

Ages 16+: Sherline Libbey

“For 80 years, the Midland Area Farmers Market has connected our community with local farmers, fresh food and one another,” says Emily Lyons, director of the Midland Area Farmers Market. “This celebration is an opportunity to honor the generations of vendors, customers and supporters who have helped make the Market a cornerstone of Midland County. We hope families will come celebrate with us while making new memories that will last for years to come.”

Brief Market History

The Midland Area Farmers Market first opened on July 14, 1945, as the City Farm Produce Market in a municipal parking lot at the foot of McDonald Street. During its inaugural season, the Market quickly became a community favorite, featuring nearly 60 local producers selling fresh chickens, eggs, cottage cheese, rabbits, cut flowers, berries and garden vegetables. 

As the Market continued to grow, a new chapter began in 1973 with the construction of the iconic circular pavilion at the foot of Ashman Street near the Tridge. Funded through a gift from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, the structure accommodated up to 60 vendors and became a recognizable symbol of the Market for nearly five decades.

Following the historic Midland flood and dam failures in 2020, the Market relocated to the Dow Diamond East Parking Lot, where it continues to thrive today. The Market now operates every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October, as well as select Saturdays in November, welcoming thousands of visitors each season.

Eighty years after its founding, the Midland Area Farmers Market remains a vibrant gathering place for local farmers, makers and community members, continuing its mission of supporting local agriculture and providing access to fresh, nutritious food.

For more information about the Midland Area Farmers Market and its 80th Anniversary Celebration, visit the Market’s social media pages or online.

Season Dates & Hours

May 2 – October 31
7 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesdays & Saturdays

First three Saturdays in November
9 a.m. – noon