Watseka Farmers Market

The Watseka Farmers Market is held at the parking lot between the Watseka Post Office and Silo Pub & Eatery in Downtown Watseka. The address is 121 W Walnut St, Watseka, IL 60970. The Watseka Farmers Market is run through a partnership with the City of Watseka.

The vendors at the Watseka Farmers Market offer fresh produce, arts and crafts, prepared foods, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, plants, and more. The market is family-friendly and takes place on Saturday mornings, making it a great weekend destination for families.

By submitting the 2026 Farmers Market Application, potential vendors acknowledge they have received, understood, and agreed to follow all the policies and procedures set forth by the Watseka Farmers Market Committee. The Watseka Farmers Market reserves the right to remove any vendor at any time for failure to comply with these Policies and Procedures. Watseka Farmers Market retains the right to prohibit a vendor from participation, without refund.

The market is held rain or shine each Saturday morning throughout the season. See Section H for the Severe Weather Protocol.

The primary focus of the Watseka Farmers Market is Illinois grown produce and other farm items — all other merchandise will be limited at the discretion of the Watseka Farmers Market Committee.

Product Categories

• Produce — Organic, chemical-free, and Illinois home-grown produce.
• Plants & Floral Products — Fresh and dried flowers, seeds, and potted plants.
• Meat, Dairy & Eggs — Farm-raised meat, dairy, and egg products.
• Baked Goods — Breads, pies, cookies, and other homemade baked goods.
• Specialty Food Items — Honeys, mustards, salsas, jams, and other homemade food items.
• Crafts — Homemade home decor items such as candles, soaps, handmade jewelry, and other art items.
• Prepared Foods — Ready-to-eat items such as jams, coffee, cooked items, and snack items.
• Other — Vendor types that do not fit above. Mass-produced and franchised items are not allowed.

Product Samples: Samples may only be distributed if approved by the Market board and indicated on the vendor application. Sampling is only allowed within your booth.

Accepted payment methods: Cash, Check, PayPal, or Money Order. Vendors will not be allowed to set up until payment is received in full.

Each market space is approximately 10' x 15'. Spaces fill quickly and a limited number of spots in each category are available.

• It is the sole responsibility of Watseka Farmers Market to fill vacant spaces — vendors may not sublet their space.
• Watseka Farmers Market retains the right to approve and facilitate all arrangements for sharing a space.
• Space preference requests should be noted on the application. Preference of location will be considered but is not guaranteed.

Set-Up Hours

• Set-up begins at 6:00 AM each Saturday.
• Vendors not set up by 8:00 AM will have their spaces reassigned.
• Official market hours: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
• Vehicles are not permitted in the Farmers Market Parking Lot between 7:45 AM and 12:05 PM.

If you will be arriving late or not attending, please notify the Market Manager by noon on Friday at (815) 549-2657.

Set-Up Regulations

• The Market Manager will send a Map Layout prior to the first market date.
• Vendors must provide all set-up materials — tent, tent weights, tables, signage, etc.
• Vehicles not used for direct sales may be parked in the public lot.
• Glass containers for products consumed on-site are unacceptable.
• Vendors may not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages within their booth space.

Attendance

All full-time vendors are expected to attend each week for the full season.

• An absence is unexcused if the Market Manager is notified after noon on Friday, or the vendor does not show without notification.
• Three or more unexcused absences result in a $15 fee; further absences result in removal.
• Notify the Market Manager at dtwatsekafarmersmarket@gmail.com, (815) 549-2657, or (602) 818-6709.
• Cancellation or no-show date fees are not refunded or waived.

Clean-Up & Trash Removal

• Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, brooms, dustpans, and garbage removal.
• Food vendors must place a mat under their space to protect the street from grease spills.
• All vendors are responsible for cleaning their stalls at the end of each market.

Severe Weather Protocol

The Watseka Farmers Market is held rain or shine.

• Cancellation announcements due to severe weather will be made via phone, text, and email by 7:00 AM.
• The Market Manager will determine if/when a closure or cancellation is imminent.

General Conduct & Compliance Policies

• 1Signage with the name of the business must be neat, clear, and visible.
• 2Vendors are not allowed to smoke or drink alcoholic beverages within their booth space.
• 3Driving is not permitted in the Parking Lot between 7:45 AM and 12:05 PM on market days.
• 4Vendors are expected to have consistent attendance. Repeat absences may result in removal.
• 5Vendors will not sublet their booth space.
• 6All vendors must comply with health code regulations. No exceptions.
• 7Vendors are expected to have positive, friendly conduct towards everyone.
• 8Non-compliance may result in review, fines, suspension, or expulsion from the market.