Shoppers will find music of the Quad Cities filling the air this summer at the Freight House Farmers’ Market as organizers pair local produce with local musicians.
The addition of Music at the Market to the downtown Davenport market is thanks to a new partnership between the farmer’s market, River Music Experience (RME), and the City of Davenport’s Riverfront Improvement Commission (RIC).
“We are honored to be part of this landmark Quad Cities cultural event,” Tyson Danner, RME executive director, said in a news release. “We are proud of our diverse, thriving music scene, and we’re excited to bring more musicians to the Farmers’ Market so that our whole community can enjoy our region’s talented musicians.”
Music at the Market is the brainchild of Mr. Danner, Lorrie Beaman (Farmers’ Market), and Steve Ahrens (Riverfront Improvement Commission). It is an effort toward a more inclusive scope of the local talent that area consumers can support.
With plenty of local food and shopping experiences pushing the Farmers’ Market to sixth in the nation, adding local sounds will invigorate the riverfront. At a Porch Party at the Freight House Building last week, city officials introduced the Music at the Market team and unveiled the RME stage Friday. Local band “The Jazztet” became the first artists to play the newly dedicated stage.
Each Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, talented musicians from the Quad Cities will perform during market hours on the new stage. An extended performance highlighting the region’s young talent will be held on the third Saturday of the month.
The longtime Freight House Farmers’ Market recently was ranked as the sixth-best farmers’ market in the nation by Holidu travel magazine in 2021. The vibrant marketplace connects and supports hundreds of local producers and entrepreneurs and sees nearly a half a million visitors each season.
