Mercado on Fifth has announced the lineup for its popular open-air market that will kick off its ninth season in the streets of the historic Floreciente Neighborhood in downtown Moline on Friday, May 23.
The outdoor market at Fifth Avenue and 12th Street will run from 5-10 p.m. every Friday after that through Sept. 26.
Mercado on Fifth 2025 is promising marketgoers “an exciting lineup of vendors, flavors and cultural experiences to the Quad Cities.”
For example, its season preview’s news release said, this year’s vendor lineup has been carefully curated through a decision matrix that evaluated uniqueness, booth presentation, and business growth potential. As a result, the release said, attendees “can expect an incredible mix of food, retail, and artisanal offerings that showcase the region’s vibrant Latin American cultures.”
Taste of Latin America
While Mercado on Fifth continues to be the go-to destination for authentic Mexican cuisine including favorites such as tacos, burritos, and guisados, it also will be paired alongside diverse flavors from across the Americas.
This year, for example, patrons can indulge in dishes such as pupusas, tamales, empanadas, and Venezuelan tequeños. Sweet treats such as mangonadas, churro cheesecake, and fresh fruit cups also will be available.
“Thankful to God for allowing me to be in good health and very happy to be here for another season at Mercado,” Miguel Guitierrez, the owner of Miguel’s Street Tacos, and a staple at Mercado, said in the release.
“I believe that, thanks to God, we are doing things right. What excites us the most is hearing from people who like what we do. When a customer congratulates you and tells you what great tacos they ate, or what a great burrito or torta, that is priceless and feels incredible.”
Luis Ortiz, who owns MeGusta, said “I feel so grateful to be part of Mercado once again. One of the things that excites me and gives me great satisfaction is seeing people’s happy faces as they eat our food.”
Food isn’t the only star at Mercado each Friday.
The place to shop
For those looking to shop, the market features a variety of handcrafted goods, fashion accessories, and items imported from Latin America. From handmade jewelry and Lucha Libre masks to artisanal home decor and custom tumblers, visitors can browse an eclectic mix of treasures.
“Amore Creations is thrilled and excited for this coming season at El Mercado 2025!” owner Laura Mata-Bolandi said in the release.
“We have been working hard, making new creations for this year and we can’t wait to meet new friends and new clients who would honor us by purchasing one of our exclusive, handmade creations. Amore Creations is blessed to be chosen to participate this year,” she said.
Added Claudia Calderon, owner of Ladybugs Closet, “We are excited about this season for Mercado. We are excited about seeing and meeting all the new vendors and seeing all of the old customers and new customers.”
She described Mercado “as a nice and family-friendly place where you can express your culture to everyone and see other cultures and socialize with all kinds of people.”
What can Mercado marketgoers expect in 2025?
Featured Mercado vendors
- Aguas Frescas Camila — Refreshing flavored juices and baked goods.
- Arelys Inc. — Tacos al pastor from a vertical rotisserie, street corn, and hot dogs.
- Creative Signature Cuisine — Gourmet hamburgers and specialty desserts.
- Jandis Colores De Mexico — Traditional Mexican handicrafts, jewelry, and clothing.
- Los Dos Grandes Western Wear — Authentic leather boots, belts, and other Western attire — Empanadas and other Venezuelan delicacies.
(For a full list of vendors, visit Mercado’s website here.)
Entertainment, experiences
Mercado on Fifth will again be a hub for live entertainment. This season it will feature a dynamic lineup of Latin music, including banda, rock en español, salsa, and tributes to iconic artists.
Traditional dance performances from Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico and Danza de Santa Maria also will return along with exhilarating Lucha Libre wrestling by SCW Pro Wrestling, a boxing exhibition, and a classic car show hosted by Latin Persuasion.
The full entertainment and arts lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
Making Mercado on Fifth’s ninth season possible is its 2025 season sponsors including Modern Woodmen of America, Hiland Toyota, The Justin Cook Team at State Farm, Ascentra Credit Union, MidAmerican Energy Foundation, Riverside Family Dental, Group O, Lindquist Ford, Bally’s Casino Rock Island, and Old National Bank. For other sponsorship opportunities, contact Executive Director Frances Williams at [email protected].
Mercado on Fifth is designed to foster economic opportunity and cultural preservation by supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs, artists, and small business owners in the Quad Cities. Through its open-air markets, seasonal celebrations, and year-round business development programs, Mercado empowers minority entrepreneurs with access to capital, bilingual business training, and technical assistance.
The organization also strengthens community identity by hosting traditional music, dance, and artisan vendors, ensuring Hispanic heritage remains visible and celebrated. Since its founding, Mercado has helped launch and support more than 65 businesses while providing paid opportunities for cultural practitioners.
For updates, including the full musical lineup, visit www.MercadoOnFifth.org or follow Mercado on Fifth on Facebook at facebook.com/mercadoonfifth.
