As an avid market-goer, it’s hardly surprising that I found myself at the Downtown Farmers’ Market this past Saturday. What was surprising though, was that fact that I arrived not amid the usual 10 am hustle, but well before all the vendors had even set up their tents. That’s because for the first time ever, I could count myself among them.
After more than five years strolling along Court Ave. and its adjoining streets, I finally found myself on the other side of the booth, shaking from both the amount of caffeine that got me up by 5 am and excitement to share my artwork with the greater Des Moines community.
“Des Moines it would seem gives back as much as you give it. ”
And it’s just that, community, that brought me to my 10 by 10 foot square on 4th St. last Saturday. And it’s what has kept me here in Des Moines for the now four years that have passed since I graduated from college. Des Moines is and continues to be a place where I can grow as an artist and more simply, a member of the community.
Despite the 50 degree temperature and intermittent rain this past weekend, the market swelled with its usual crowd of dedicated foodies, dogs in strollers, and Saturday morning brunch bunch. And though my fingers were beginning to lose all feeling by the noon hour, it felt immensely gratifying to see the support that the market (now in it’s 49th year!) receives on a weekly basis.
Des Moines it would seem gives back as much as you give it.
