Officials with the Arlington Heights Farmers Market hit the ground running Saturday as they opened the 2026 season. The first open-air market of the year drew a record crowd of 4,692 to the grounds of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, pushing it well above the 3,000 per Saturday the market drew last year.
Girls display their handmade wind chimes.
“The weather was absolutely perfect and the market was packed,” says Maggie Sraga, Operations Manager of the market. “We reached a new, all-time attendance record.”
The market drew a variety of ages, including many young families, who were drawn to the variety of activities and live music as much as they were to the fresh produce stands.
For starters, children were captivated by the Little Sprouts Corner, where they could make their own garden wind chimes, before playing Farmers Market Bingo, by trying to locate different vendors on their cards.
In the picnic area, families enjoyed listening to live bluegrass music played by the band, Over the Boot, while they enjoyed a selection of hot food items for both breakfast and lunch.
“We’re really trying to build off of winning best market in Illinois last year,” Sraga says. “We think it’s going to be one of our best seasons yet.”
The band, Over the Boot, plays bluegrass music.
Key to making it a popular destination is adding new vendors, Sraga says, including: Chicago Butter Tart, Goodstuff Eats BBQ, Hugs ‘N’ Quiches, Iron Roots Knife Sharpening. Pasta By Val, River Valley Ranch, Tsedah Farms and Yaya’s Dips.
Sraga points out the smoothies made by the McHenry-based Tsedah Farms proved to be popular as well as the early spring produce which made its seasonal debut, including asparagus, strawberries, lettuce greens and more. She adds that lots more produce is coming as the season continues.
Of course, Sraga says the market will continue to feature many of patrons’ favorites, including: Flara Bakery, Curious Crow and The Ice Cream Girl, among others. Find a full list of vendors, here.
If Saturday’s turnout was any indication, the farmers market looks like a happening place. Next week features more of the same, starting with a kid’s story time from 8:30 — 9 a.m., followed by a craft in the Little Sprouts Corner. Live music continues iinside the market and in the picnic area, with a visit from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Bookmobile, another Farmers Market Bingo Contest and assorted vendor goodies.
Smoothies were a big hit from Tsedah Farms.
All of these amenities make the Farmers Market more of a destination than an open-air market to buy fresh produce. It has a community feel, that’s casual, friendly and welcoming.
Here’s how Historical Society members frame it: “The Arlington Heights Farmers Market has become a vibrant centerpiece for the community, not just for its fresh produce and artisan goods, but for its community feeling, making it a Saturday morning destination for many Arlington Heights families.”
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