(Article submitted by Market Manager Ciara Hoegh)
(Atlantic) The summer heatwave is standing strong, but Produce in the Park fights back by inviting the community to chill out like it’s December. July 9 is Christmas in July at the park, where winter isn’t a season but a mindset. Christmas songs and a polar express (lawnmower) train ride for kids, plus a visit from Santa Claus himself, will have people of all ages writing their wishlists and shaking off the summer heat at Produce in the Park.
Atlantic is no stranger to Christmas celebrations. From the festival of trees to the annual grand lighting, Atlantic makes Christmas season one to remember. Santa’s Cabin in city park is a landmark of its own kind. In the summer, Santa Claus generously “rents out” the cabin for Atlantic park use, and in the winter, the cabin transforms into a cozy meet-and-greet with the man himself. These practices mark Atlantic as a top Christmas travel destination in Iowa, a title that carries even into the summertime.
Children will have the chance to ride for free in the C1st polar express, a whimsical lawnmower train ride provided by July market sponsor Community First Credit Union. Musician BJ Hart will play covers of classic Christmas songs along with other songs for the market on July 9. Face
painting in the park and a free bounce house provided by Nishna Valley YMCA will also be available for additional children’s entertainment.
Food trucks for the July 9 market include Noble Provisions, Reyes Tamales and Iiawah Grill. Noble Provisions will be grilling local burgers. Iiawah Grill is a new arrival at Produce in the Park, serving Hawaiian food. Reyes Tamales was invited to join the market this week because
tamales are a Christmas tradition in many Mexican and Mexican-American communities. In addition to tamales, Reyes Tamales will be selling Agua Frescas, refreshing beverages made with fruit.
Basil has been chosen as the featured herb of the July 9 market for its versatility and health benefits. According to Registered Dietician Sarah Andersen, “Fresh basil is loaded with natural aromatic compounds like rosmarinic acid and eugenol, which give it that incredible smell. Those
same compounds help protect the basil plant from insects and disease, and researchers are studying them for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well.” Sarah will be at the market as Guest Chef, passing out samples of a recipe featuring basil.
Businesses and organizations supporting Produce in the Park as Annual Sponsors for the 2026-2027 season include the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Atlantic Hy-Vee, Cass County Tourism, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Gregg Young
Chevrolet of Atlantic, and the Nishna Valley YMCA. Sponsors for the month of July include Community First Credit Union and REM Iowa.
Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM from June through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT, SUN Bucks (Summer EBT available to children) and Double Up Food Bucks, which provide two-for-one produce coupons for any produce purchased at the farmers market with a SNAP/EBT or SUN Bucks card. Recipients of SUN Bucks are reminded that the funds expire 122 days after distribution.
Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Applications can be completed online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com, and printed copies are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park welcomes vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods and baked goods, crafts, art, decorations, and plants.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/). To sign up to Produce in the Park’s
newsletter, visit https://gmail.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d5290b0b52af1fa68e64cc480&id=51502aed40.
