Debut of Cape Riverfront Market draws hundreds

Hundreds of people showed up Saturday for the debut of the Cape Riverfront Market in the parking lot at 35 S. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

The weekly market consists of vendors, demonstrations and entertainment. Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said the market came about through a "community process of finding out what the community wanted." Old Town Cape is a not-for-profit organization that works toward revitalizing and preserving the historical integrity of Cape Girardeau.

The market will have about 26 seasonal vendors every Saturday. "There is a real good variety of vendors scheduled to attend," Mills said. "We really want it to be a diverse market with locally grown produce."

Market manager Levi Olson said the market committee wants the mix to be 50 percent unprocessed products, 30 percent value-added products and 20 percent crafts. "We don't want it just to be a craft fair or produce market," he said.

Both Mills and Olson said they were happy with the turnout. The crowd ranged from babies in strollers to older adults. People sat around tables and visited.

The entertainment was the Drummer Boys, who played trash cans to make music. The demonstrations were free children's crafts put on by Discovery Playhouse and an electric car demonstration by Brian Noto.

"Everything is going great," Mills said. "A lot of vendors have sold out of their products, and it's early in the season."

Emily Seifers, of Laughing Stalk Farmstead and a member of the market committee, said, "I had no idea it was going to be this big of a success. I'm excited to see so many people and I hope the motivation keeps up."

Visitor Ruth Dockins said she was thrilled to see so many people downtown appreciating it.

"I hope it helps to create an interest in our town," Dockins said.

The Cape Riverfront Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Oct. 27. For more information, go to www.caperiverfrontmarket.com.

Pertinent address:

35 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau MO