FOND DU LAC – Fond du Lac’s favorite market vendors are back, and a few new faces will join them.
The Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market opened May 16 and will set up on Main Street for thousands of shoppers from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through Oct. 31.
Taking up the area between Division Street and Western Avenue, a variety of farmers, makers, food vendors, bakers, business owners and more will offer their goods.
Farmers’ market manager Kristin Santini said there are 160 vendors, with more coming in each week.
This year, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership asks that animals be kept at home, as the market gets crowded and can sometimes get too loud for them. Service animals are an exception, specifically defined as an animal trained to do work or perform tasks for a person who is unable to do so for themselves.
This summer includes live music and special event days
Throughout the farmers’ market season, shoppers will browse with the background sounds of local musicians. Featured artists announced so far include Jim N Nancy; Kylar & Seth James; Rich & The Funky Boy; Russ Drezdon; Love, Light & Harmony; JT Jazz; and Strategic, according to Santini.
A special event day coming up is Dairy Day the first Saturday in June for National Dairy Month.
Additionally, the market will end early at 11:30 a.m. June 27 to make way for the America 250 Parade at 1 p.m.
No cash? Check out the Market Bucks program
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 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.
The first Saturday of each month is Match Days for EBT Market Bucks, and this year, EBT Market Bucks purchases will be matched up to $20.
Information booth is central hub for everything you need to know
The DFP information booth sets up each week at Main and Second streets, and is the go-to spot for information, Market Bucks and community engagement activities, Santini said.
The partnership is also welcoming volunteers to either be an ambassador at the information booth or float around the market to help set up or clean up and assist vendors as they need. More information is available on downtownfdl.com.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: What to know about the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market in 2026
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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