FOND DU LAC – Summer is on its way, and one of Fond du Lac’s first seasonal events is almost here.
Starting May 17, the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers’ Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 25. For set-up and tear-down, the road will close at 6 a.m. and reopen at 1 p.m.
Shoppers can choose from a variety of vendors lining Main Street, including Wisconsin farmers with fresh produce and flowers, home bakers with bread and cookies, local artists with their wares and more, as well as food trucks and other vendors selling ready-to-eat food items.
Here’s what to know about the 2025 season.
Location will move throughout the season
As the Main Street Resurfacing Project progresses this summer, the market will need to move every few weeks, according to the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership.
From May 17 to June 21, the market will set up on Main Street between Western Avenue and First Street.
Starting June 28, the market will be between First and Division streets.
Construction is anticipated to finish in early September, so from Sept. 13 to Oct. 25, the market will return to its normal location between Western and Forest avenues.
Any updates will be available on the “2025 Main Street Makeover” page of downtownfdl.com.
Live music includes local artists
Seth James & Friends will kick off the live music acts at the market May 17, and Seth James will return with Kylar Kuzio July 26, Sept. 20 and Oct. 25.
Kirtan band Love, Light and Harmony will perform May 24, followed by Appleton rock artist Strategic May 31.
June acts will include Russ Drezon, Jim N Nancy, J.T. Jazz and Joe O’Boyle & Family, while July will introduce Rich and the Funky Boy for the first time this season.
August will bring in Mahogany Road twice, and the rest of the season will include returning favorites from the first half of summer.
Dairy Day will kick off special event days
The market often includes special event days: so far this year, June Dairy Day is scheduled for June 7.
The only Saturday without a farmers’ market this season will be Sept. 6, during which Fondue Fest will take its place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some downtown events will overlap with the market, including the Witches Day Out and Monster March in October.
Use Market Bucks instead of your card
Vendors will accept cash at the booths, and to make shopping with a card or nutritional assistance benefits easier, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership introduced the Market Bucks program in 2020.
Shoppers can visit the farmers’ market information booth in front of 131 S. Main St. to swipe their debit cards, credit cards, Electronic Balance Transfer cards or any whole dollar amount in exchange for Market Bucks, which can only be used at the market and are valid throughout the season.
Cash Market Bucks can be used to purchase anything a vendor is selling at the market. EBT Market Bucks can only be spent on eligible products, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products and baked goods.
In partnership with program sponsor National Exchange Bank & Trust, the first Saturday of each month is $10 Match Days, during which EBT Market Bucks purchases will be matched up to $10. In September, the $10 Match Day will be held Sept. 13 as a result of Fondue Fest.
Many vendors also accept WIC Farmers’ Market Vouchers, according to the partnership.
The market is pet-friendly
The farmers’ market is a pet-friendly event, but the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership has rules in place for the safety of the pets, vendors and shoppers.
All pets must be under human control and remain on leashes no more than 6 feet in length at all times, and they must be kept far enough away from vendors to avoid possible licking or “marking” of food items.
Owners should be prepared to clean up after their pet, and if the animal has signs of anxiety or aggression, the partnership asks the owner keep in mind the market may not be a good fit for it.
Here are some more upcoming downtown events
While the biggest event in the downtown area will be Fondue Fest, the partnership has more events planned earlier in the summer.
The Summer Wine Walk will turn several downtown businesses into “tasting rooms” from 4 to 8 p.m. June 13 with samples of sweet wines, dry wines and non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails. Tickets are available now at downtownfdl.com/wine-walk.
The Night Market will kick off on June 26 with fresh produce, prepared foods, local artists, live music and a Kids Zone with outdoor games.
Other Night Market dates are July 10, July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street from Division Street to Forest Avenue and Sheboygan Street to Portland Street.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Road work won’t stop the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers’ Market. What to know for 2025.
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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