(Atlantic) Produce in the Park is celebrating all things “old-timey” on Thursday, September 17, with a night themed after “grandma hobbies.” Grandma hobbies are low-tech, hands-on activities traditionally associated with older generations. Activities and visiting organizations will invite market-goers to enjoy trending old hobbies together at Produce in the Park.
Visiting organizations will offer traditional activities, including but not limited to: a quilting craft; demonstrations of cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, quilting, and crocheting by The Thursday Quilters; Mahjong; bird-watching tips from Cass County Conservation; genealogy with Cass County Genealogy; food preservation and more with Cass County Extension/4-H.
To set the scene, The Prairie Gators will play a mix of folk, bluegrass, and gospel with a nostalgic twang to take you down memory lane. Music entertainment for Produce in the Park is sponsored by Rolling Hills.
Kids won’t want to miss the long-standing party tradition of face painting at the September 17 market. Food trucks at the park on September 17 will include Reyes Tamales and their menu of crowd-pleasing tamales and aguas frescas (cool, refreshing fruit-based drinks), Liza’s Sushi, and fresh-squeezed lemonade and specialty coffee by CoffeeGirl.
Local foods sold at the September 17 farmers market will include fresh produce (such as potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, beets, cabbage, onions and tomatoes) as well as local meats (lamb, chicken), baked goods including desserts and sourdough bread, honey, eggs, and more. Crafts and other non-food items include candles and wax melts, bath and body products such as handmade soaps, leatherwork, jewelry, paintings, compost, and more.
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 September include Care Initiatives Hospice.
Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM from June through the end of 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 is now accepting vendor and sponsor applications for the upcoming Holiday Market season, which begins with Boo-tique Market on Saturday, October 17. 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.
