Despite weather, Kalona Farmers Market a hit with vendors

KALONA – It was a cool, damp Saturday, but that did not stop people from taking to the streets of Kalona for the second week of the new farmers market.

Organizer Krista Hersberger said that 12 vendors were set up around downtown Kalona.

'I've got to be honest, I was pretty nervous because of the weather,” Hershberger said. 'The weather has held up. There was a bit of a drizzle during setup this morning, but the vendors set up anyway. We've got quite a crowd here.”

Vendors were pleased with the turnout as well.

'This is another fun town to come to,” said Julie Barnes of Iowa City, who was selling fresh produce that she grows. 'Everything got a little wet, but it's going great.”

Craig Miller of the Miller Family Homestead in Riverside said that this was his first week at the Kalona Farmers Market.

'I feel like we're doing pretty good,” Miller said. 'It's nice to see the community and everyone come out.”

Derald and Marilyn Bender, owners of Kalona Amish Country Noodles, set up a table to sell their popular products.

'We don't have a retail business, so you get a chance to see the local people,” Marilyn Bender said.

Mike O'Leary of Riverside, who was selling fresh produce, said that the farmers market was more than just an opportunity to make some sales.

'Kalona has done a tremendous job of having a variety of vendors,” O'Leary said. 'It's not just selling stuff, it's building a sense of community.”