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Exploring The Eagan Market Fest

By Colleen McGuire

Eagan Market Fest
Eagan Festival Grounds at Central Park
(Grounds adjacent to Eagan Central Community Center)
1501 Central Parkway, Eagan
Hours: Wed., June 8 to September 28, 4-8 p.m., rain or shine
During September, market will close at dusk.
Free admission
Information: 651-675-5500
Weather hotline: 651-675-5511
Website

Giraffe At Minnesota Zoo
(credit: Colleen McGuire

During the summer months it's a treat to get out in the middle of the week and do something fun with the entire family. If you are looking for a place to ride a bike, have a picnic, hike trails, listen to music and let the kids play, Eagan Market Fest offers all of these opportunities, plus options for adults.

Located on the Eagan Festival Grounds at 1501 Central Parkway, just off Pilot Knob Road, the weekly festival is held between 4-8 pm on Wednesdays until September 28. The grounds have ample parking and wide-open space to let the kids play soccer or frisbee. Lawn games are also available that the entire family can enjoy.

When the event began five years ago, there were only 10 vendors for a 12-week festival. In 2010 Eagan Market Fest was voted #2 as America's Favorite Famers Market in Minnesota and in the top 20 nationwide. This year the farmers market will host over 60 vendors during an expanded 17-week event. The longer, extended spring in Minnesota has caused a two-three week delay on early crops, but when the summer is in full swing visitors can expect to find asparagus, onions, lettuce and root vegetables, just to name a few selections and depending on the season. There are also numerous small businesses selling jellies, bread, spices, gourmet sauces, jewelry and flowers. If you do not have picnic goods and decide to stay awhile, there are several food vendors that offer everything from wood-fire pizza and hot dogs to strudel, kettle corn and ice cream.

Each week features different local bands in the band shell throughout the evening, so visitors are encouraged to bringing a blanket or lawn chairs and stay for the entire program. If the kids can't sit for long periods of time, Eagan Art House hosts a tent for children to work on different art projects each week at no cost. There is also a playground with a slide, tunnel and monkey bars.

During the month of June Eagan Market Fest is offering a $5 voucher for free produce to anyone who rides his or her bike to the event. You can also get exercise on one of the walking paths that circle around the festival grounds.

To find the weekly schedule of bands and a list of special theme nights, click here to view the Eagan Market Fest community flier for more information.

Colleen McGuire is a digital marketing communications professional and author of the blog, Travel Snapshots. When she is not touring the Twin Cities for interesting festivals and events, she is wandering the world with her camera and notebook.

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