To Market, To Market...

One of my favorite places in all the world is the Des Moines farmer's market. Since Iowa is one of the biggest farming states in the country, you can imagine the quality of this market. It is three city blocks long, all of which are closed off to traffic every Saturday morning from mid-May to mid-September. Thousands of people (literally) come to enjoy the music, see the arts and crafts, buy flowers of all varieties, scope out the best of the best produce, meat, cheeses, and many other confections, and of course, people-watch. Seeing as the market is only one block away from my aunt and uncle's townhouse in downtown Des Moines, this is a tradition we have no problem keeping alive every time I visit. It's something I look forward to on each excursion to Des Moines. So if you're ever in the area during the summer months, I would highly recommend stopping by the farmer's market--you won't be disappointed.

A view of the market from the east end (closest to my aunt and uncle's home). This is but a glimpse of the magnitude of this market.

There are many musical groups that perform at the market. This one played folk songs.

So much cheese, so little time...

Flowers for sale

Perhaps you would like to purchase a birdhouse church?

Roses

Yummy-looking produce

A steel drum band gets ready to perform at the west end of the market

Herbs

Working hard to sell pasta sauce

This market, unlike many others that shall remain nameless (cough, cough, cEVANSTON, cough), allows dogs. Dogs of all shapes and sizes show up...kind of like the people!

Such beautiful colors!

Little kids have fun riding the train...

...and petting the many dogs

I would never buy these. I prefer my cucumbers with burps.

Another canine market-goer

Emily enjoys a smoothie while waiting for Uncle Alan to buy Mother's Day flowers

The view walking back home