Iowa's News Now reports that this year's Market After Dark was forced to cancel this August. The nighttime street music festival has quickly become the city's most popular event of the past several years - it's been a success since it's inception.

The news is just another blow to Cedar Rapids' already busted plans for the summer season.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance issued a press release Tuesday with a good news/bad news bite. It said the drive-thru market on June 6 was a success! Iowa's News Now reports a total of 430 cars drove though buying a total of 1,400 items from vendors.

But... the remaining Downtown Farmers Markets will continue to be drive-thru only markets.

We get it. There's really no way of safely hosting a full daytime farmer's market.

Last year each one was averaging 14,000 in attendance. The more popular Market After Dark event drew a whopping 50,000 party-goers into downtown last year.

“Ensuring social distancing with large-scale community events like a traditional Downtown Farmers Market and Market After Dark would be near impossible," Ellie Evans - Event Planner for the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance

So we take it on the chin, once again thanks for nothing, 2020 - no concerts, no festivals, no fairs, no ballgames, and now...no Cedar Rapids downtown Farmer's Markets.

But let's be grateful for the good news, we can still support the drive thru market. You can order online, just click here.

Schedule of Drive Thru Farmer's Markets:

  • June 20, 7:30 a.m. to noon
  • July 4, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • July 18, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • August 1, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • August 15, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • September 5, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • September 19, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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