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<\/a>The Kiwanis Farmer\u2019s Market is a Kirksville staple, running every Saturday from May through October. Each week, vendors rise early to set up their tents by 7:00 AM on the street west of the courthouse, creating a simple way to support local businesses. <\/span><\/p>\n One of these local businesses is Caffiend Fix, a coffee shop located on South Franklin street, south of the square. Caffiend Fix has been selling its coffee and Italian sodas at the market for about a month and a half, after employee Trevor Stocks suggested the idea to his boss as a way to advertise for the shop and generate more revenue. Stocks spoke about the benefits of the farmer\u2019s market and what keeps him coming back each week. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy coming out here every morning, seeing my neighbors, what people have to offer,\u201d Stocks said. \u201cHelping small towns and small people is the way to go.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Stocks also spoke about the benefits of buying local produce, saying that produce is not only cheaper at the farmer\u2019s market, but vendors do not use pesticides that one might find on some commercially-grown produce from the grocery store. He also said that supporting local farmers keeps money in the community. <\/span><\/p>\n In contrast to Caffiend Fix, which is one of the newest vendors at the market, Steve and Velda Salt of Green Valley Farm have the most years under their belts. The Salts have been selling their produce at the Kirksville farmer\u2019s market for 29 years. <\/span><\/p>\n A lifelong gardener, Steve Salt talked about how the farmer\u2019s market has evolved. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s had its ups and downs over the years,\u201d said Steve. \u201cAt one point there were only two vendors, and we were one of them.\u201d Now, there are dozens of vendors who set up each week to sell a variety of products. <\/span><\/p>\n The Salts grow all their produce either in their four-acres of garden plot or in their half-acre of greenhouse space. Among their herbs and vegetables, they also sell Asian produce, inspired by Steve\u2019s time as a missionary in Asia. \u201cIf we have a specialty here it\u2019s variety,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n Steve also spoke of the friendly community atmosphere at the market. \u201cThis is a community meeting place,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like a giant-sized pub without the beer.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n In addition to coffee and produce, the farmer\u2019s market has vendors who sell hand-made soaps, afghans and quilts, hand-made jewelry, baked goods, wood products made from recycled lumber, and much more. The market is open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM every Saturday until the end of October, rain or shine. <\/span><\/p>\n Besides the farmer\u2019s market, there are other ways to get to know the Kirksville community. A relatively new event here is the Midwest Antique Fest and Flea Market.This event draws visitors from across the state and beyond, and is expected to host over sixty vendors this year. In addition to the booths, the event will feature live music and food throughout both days. The event will be held on the NEMO fairgrounds in Kirksville, and will run from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday, September 20th, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday the 21st. General admission is five dollars, but students can get in at the discounted price of three dollars with their university ID. <\/span><\/p>\n The festival, coordinated by Lindsey West and Brittany Kelsey, was named one of America\u2019s top up-and-coming flea markets and vintage shows by Flea Market Style magazine. West, an eastern Iowa native, said she and Kelsey wanted to bring an event like this to Kirksville because they both enjoy flea markets and antiquing, and there was a lack of these events in northeast Missouri. West said events like these help bring in people from outside the community and show them what Kirksville has to offer. \u201cWe\u2019re not just a little small town, and we have fun things going on,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n West said this year she is most excited about the new vendors at the festival, including Double Decker Vintage, a European-style double decker bus that has been converted into a mobile store for vintage clothing and accessories. West said variety is one of the biggest things she and Kelsey look for in vendors, so this year\u2019s event will feature several different clothing boutiques with different styles, in addition to the other craft and antique booths. <\/span><\/p>\n The flea market is a juried show, meaning West and Kelsey hand-pick the vendors they want at the event. West says they look for \u201cquality versus quantity,\u201d and visit other events across the Midwest and beyond to find unique vendors to invite to the event. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>