About Us:
The Park Ridge Farmer's Market was originally conceived as part of Mayor Marty Butler's "Vision 2000" Committee. The idea was to provide a local amenity for residents as a destination for fresh produce and as an alternative to the then-current practice of always going to the "Mall" on a Saturday. A group of citizen-volunteers was formed in 1989 to manage the process. The first committee included Owen Hayes, Bea Painter, Dave Donovan and Frank Huster as an organizers, Robert Ryan as the first committee Chairman, and Carol Zeugel Longman as the first Market Master.
In the beginning the committee researched just what a farmer's market was, and visited markets in Chicagoland, Wisconsin and Michigan. The University of Illinois Agricultural Extension Service also provided information and help. A new city ordinance was drafted and passed and the Assistant City Manager was assigned to be the City liaison to the market committee. Farmers were contacted and, as each applied, a committee member visited each farm to ensure that the farmers really did grow the produce or prepare the products. It took a full year to get the first market open.
Season: Summer
Market Hours:
May - October, 2024
Saturdays, 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: 15 Prairie Avenue, between Main and Garden, Park Ridge, IL
