Jacob Spring from the Unique Twist hands 6-year-old Aubree Taylor a balloon creation at the East Peoria Farmers Market recently. Market manager Theresa Unzicker said the market is designed to be kid-friendly. (Photo by Elise Zwicky)

Farmers markets are in full swing in the Tri-County area, offering everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to goat milk soap, alpaca yarn and fishing lures.

“It’s a community event that draws a very diverse group of people. It’s open to everyone and there’s something for everyone,” said Sharon Gramm, executive director of the Peoria Riverfront Association, which sponsors the Peoria Riverfront Market.

In its 14th year, the Riverfront Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday mornings through Sept. 30 in the 200 block of Water Street across from the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Across the river in East Peoria, a six-year-old weekly farmers market continues to grow and attract new vendors each year, including young entrepreneurs.

“We have a high school girl that makes unique bath bombs at Tick Tick Fizz, and a college-age young lady who makes unique jewelry at Creations by Hannah,” said Theresa Unzicker, market manager. “We have wonderful musical entertainment and the best volunteers from the East Peoria Beautification Commission to assist our vendors. We have a

A woman looks over produce at the Peoria Riverfront Market on a rainy Saturday in May. Located on the Peoria riverfront, the market is open rain or shine from 8 a.m to noon Saturday mornings through Sept. 30. It’s one of several farmers markets in the Tri-County area. (Photo by Elise Zwicky)

great community working together to make this market work.”

The East Peoria market is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 22 on the pedestrian promenade near Gordman’s in the Levee District.

On a recent sweltering Friday, market-goers were browsing among the East Peoria market’s vendors under brightly colored umbrellas, with some enjoying free wine samples at the Kickapoo Creek Winery booth. The market features about 30 vendors offering freshly grown and locally produced items.

“We have many of our fabulous regular vendors returning, like Yankee Lane Alpacas, which makes items from alpaca wool; the Green Grocer, which has

Vendor Della Stewart mans her Fine Work booth at the East Peoria Farmers Market recently while potential customers peruse her wreaths, ornaments and beaded jewelry. (Photo by Elise Zwicky)

many unusual vegetables and several varieties of tomatoes; Popcorn Heaven, who sell several flavors of popcorn; and the Braker’s Dozen, a bakery that sells the best garlic cheese bread and a wide variety of baked goods,” Unzicker said.

The East Peoria market also offers flowers, beef and pork, eggs, cheesecakes, homemade pet accessories, jewelry, perfume, massage oils and unique shell creations.

In addition, the UnityPoint Health-Methodist Proctor Wellmobile will be at the market the first Friday of each

Zach Jackson on Kickapoo Creek Winery pours a wine sample for a patron at the East Peoria Farmers Market recently. The market, one of several in the Tri-County area, is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 22 on the pedestrian promenade near Gordman’s in the Levee District. (Photo by Elise Zwicky)

month to provide free blood pressure checks, and Superior Healthcare will be there once a month.

“I have also tried to make the market kid-friendly,” Unzicker added. “The Tazewell County Farm Bureau donated coloring books about the farm and crayons made of soy. CEFCU also donated coloring books and crayons. We have Kona Ice, Wild Style face painting and balloon creations by the Unique Twist.”

The Peoria Riverfront Market also aims to be family-friendly with a variety of entertainment and activities. The market offers face painting and balloon creations, as well as a full line-up of music, magic and gardening demonstrations.

One of the most popular events at the Riverfront Market is a twice-monthly cooking contest patterned after the popular “Chopped” TV show and hosted by the Heart of Illinois Chefs Association.

“They give competing chefs $25 and 30 minutes to shop the market, and then they have 30 minutes to prepare a dish to be judged,” Gramm said. “It’s a fun event that people really like to watch.”

A limited number of attendees receive tickets to sample and vote for their favorite dish,

with winners advancing in the bracket-style contest. Various recipes and samples will be highlighted during the contest on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

This year, the Heart of Illinois Chefs Association has added an omelet station featuring fresh ingredients from the market at the same time as the Chopped event.

“Everything is made with items from the market: fresh farm eggs, cheese, spinach, tomatoes. All the toppings come from the market,” Gramm said. “They are making those fresh to order from 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays.”

A complete list of activities and demonstrations can be found by clicking the Riverfront Market logo on the website www.visitdowntownpeoria.com.

“We are growing considerably this year. For only being the fourth market of the season last Saturday, we had 83 vendors. That’s up from last year at this time,” Gramm said.

“And we still have peaches and sweet corn and melon vendors to come yet, so I anticipate this to be a really big market this year.”

Among unique items to be found at the Riverfront Market are coffee, mimosas and frozen casseroles that can be taken home and baked.

“We’re a producers-only market, and I think people appreciate that. Everyone has to be from the state of Illinois and they’re selling items that they make or grow themselves. And the farmers really appreciate everyone coming out to support them. It’s just become a very nice, relaxing place to spend a Saturday morning.”

Chris Becker of East Peoria said she tries to go to the Riverfront Market as often as she can, especially for the fresh farm eggs and free-range chicken.

“There’s always something to buy from many vendors, and there’s music. Last week, my 8-year-old friend got her face painted. It’s easy to make a full morning there,” Becker said.

Other local farmers can be found at the Metro Centre in Peoria from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday; at Peoria’s Junction City from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays; and on the square in Metamora from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Jennifer Duncan of Metamora said she likes the farmers market in her Woodford County town because of its smaller size. “We can ride bikes up there or walk up to it,” said the mother of four. “I like it for the fresh produce, and I like to support local farmers. I take my kids. They tend to eat more veggies or try new things if I let them pick it out,” she said.

Tri-County farmers markets

• Peoria Riverfront Market: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Peoria riverfront.

• Peoria Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Metro Centre.

• Junction City Farmers Market: 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Peoria’s Junction City.

• East Peoria Farmers Market: 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays in the Levee District.

• Metamora Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on the Metamora square.

–Area farmers markets not just limited to healthy, locally-grown foods–