The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is celebrating its 14th anniversary — and its first full year at its new home in East Waco — after a move that organizers say has allowed the market to grow in size and better serve nearby neighborhoods.
The market launched in 2011 in a small, tree-covered space along the river, originally hosting about 20 vendors. Today, the market averages 65 to 75 vendors each Saturday, with room to expand to more than 100 along Bridge Street Plaza.
“We’re averaging between 65 and 75 vendors every week,” Market Manager Rachel Velasco said. “We wanted to make sure there was weekly access to good-quality food for those neighborhoods that are right there in East Waco.”
The anniversary market, held two weeks ago, featured community partners, a live cooking demonstration and the annual pumpkin scavenger hunt. The market also teamed up with the Central Texas Food Bank to collect donations ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Every year the big highlight of our anniversary is our pumpkin scavenger hunt,” Velasco said. “This year we had over $1,000 in donations from our vendors.”
Crowds have grown alongside the vendor list. The market now draws between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors on an average Saturday, with larger events attracting more than 3,500 people throughout the morning.
Beyond food access, Velasco said the move to Bridge Street Plaza has helped the market become a broader community hub by offering space for nonprofits, arts groups and neighborhood organizations.
“People are hungry for a place where they can come together with other people that live nearby and figure out how they fit into a bigger community,” she said.
The market is now preparing for its annual Holiday Market on Dec. 13. The event will feature handmade goods from local artisans, live music and the return of “Taste of the Market,” where visitors can sample fresh, local ingredients and pick up seasonal recipe ideas.
“Even though we are a food-first market, we’ll have all of our handcrafted vendors,” Velasco said. “It’s a perfect time for people to come out and shop.”
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bridge Street Plaza.
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