By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The Farm & Art Market Downtown is slated to open its 3rd season on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 7:30 am.
Due to the ongoing construction of the City Lights Pavilion, this year’s market will temporarily relocate to the northwest corner of Santa Fe and Ash.
On April 14, Salina Commissioners approved name change of the former City Lights Stage to the City Lights Pavilion.
The City Lights Pavilion signage will be placed at two locations:
One on the shade structure facing North and the other facing East at the parking lot entrance off Santa Fe.
According to Salina 2020, who developed a plan for the purchase and installation of the shade structure ($1.4 million project), stated the signage is anticipated to be completed in August 2026 along with the structure.
According to Salina Downtown, the 2026 season will feature 22 vendors, including four brand-new vendors joining the market this year.
Returning favorites include Svaty’s Produce, Home Fresh Baking, Leo’s Treats, Surus Garden, and Trojan Knife Sharpening, to name a few, with Jirak Brothers returning in mid-June.
Visitors can also enjoy live music each Saturday and the return of the popular Kidz Zone, sponsored in part by Wedel Financial. Tammy Jarvis will once again bring fun and creativity to the Kidz Zone activities each week.
“The Farm & Art Market Downtown continues to grow into a Saturday tradition for our community,” said Leslie Bishop, Executive Director of SDI. “We are excited to welcome both returning favorites and new vendors this season while continuing to create a vibrant downtown experience for families, shoppers, and visitors.”
The Farm & Art Market Downtown would also like to thank the dedicated Farmers Market Committee members for their hard work and support: Larry Bunker, Gary Martens, Kirsty Hartley, Tammy Jarvis, Brent Martin, Aubrey Schneider, Anita Chase, along with SDI staff members Leslie Bishop, April Rickman, and Dian Gebhardt.